The FFAW says it is not opposed to offshore wind development, but it is very much opposed to offshore winds farms displacing the fishery in areas where it overlaps fishing grounds.
The federal and provincial governments yesterday signed an agreement that sets a regime for development of offshore wind farms in Newfoundland and Labrador waters.
Energy industry liaison with the FFAW, Katie Power told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly the union has two main concerns about offshore wind development. One is displacement of the fishery, and the other is destruction of fish habitat.
Power says while offshore wind development is nothing new, the FFAW has plenty of questions regarding local impacts.
That includes the potential displacement of fishing activity while construction is underway and whether there will be any compensation for that, how the fishery coexists with wind development, and a variety of other unknowns.
Andrew Parsons Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
Energy Minister Andrew Parsons says yesterday’s MOU signing event was just the first step in offshore wind development to establish jurisdiction.
Parsons says government is prepared to work with proponents as the potential for offshore wind development moves forward.
He says to date, the department has not heard from the FFAW on concerns they may have about offshore wind.
He provided his phone number and email on VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly. “Pretty easy to get ahold of me,” Parsons says, “we need to work with the FFAW, we’re going to work with them, and I think there’s a way for everyone to have success here. So, I look forward to those conversations.”
