Representation by REAF CIC (REAF CIC)
- Date submitted
- 14 November 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
REAF CIC represents the fishing community of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and in this particular instance, our interests are: 1. to help minimise potential conflicts when future wind farm and other developments are being considered. Data supplied by fishers should be treated as commercially sensitive. 2 That planning and consenting decisions should take into account the safety implications of additional steaming times for fishing vessels resulting from navigational restrictions, and spatial fishing restrictions should respect good navigational practice. 3 That precautionary measures are taken when clearing unexploded ordnance when constructing new offshore wind farms to minimise more effectively damage to wildlife, including sea mammals, fish stocks and their natural habitats. New techniques for disposal are available and these should be employed whenever possible. 4 That this consultation affecting the fishing industry should take into account that fishers are remote workers whose working hours often do not correspond with those of the regulators and developers.