SSE has published a Fisheries Safety Flyer - the first resource of its kind from a renewable energy developer - designed to support safe navigation and fishing activity within operational offshore wind farms.
With fishing continuing actively across SSE’s operational offshore wind sites, the flyer provides clear, practical information on navigation, wind farm infrastructure, incident reporting and communication procedures, and safe operating considerations to help promote safer co-existence at sea.
The flyer builds on SSE Renewables’ Principles for Co-Existence with Commercial Fisheries, published in 2023, which set out the company’s framework for how offshore wind and fisheries can operate together constructively throughout project development and operations.
The new Fisheries Safety Flyer has been reviewed with input and endorsement from key representatives from across the fishing and marine safety community, including the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), Trinity House and the European Subsea Cables Association (ESCA).
Elspeth Macdonald Chief Executive for Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF), said:
“The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation welcomes this jointly endorsed safety flyer as a practical step to support safe operations within offshore windfarms.”
Fingal McKiernan, Commercial Fisheries Manager for SSE Renewables, said:
“Safety is a core value at SSE and that extends beyond our workforce to everyone operating in and around our wind farms. We recognise the vital role the fishing industry plays in coastal communities and the wider marine economy. This flyer builds on our co-existence work and is part of our ongoing commitment to engaging constructively with fishers and ensuring offshore wind and fishing can operate safely and confidently in shared waters. We would hope this forms part of a wider national safety initiative across the offshore wind sector.”
SSE continues to undertake fisheries monitoring across its offshore wind farms and maintains open communication with vessels working in and around its sites, supporting shared situational awareness and a collaborative approach to safety at sea.
The Fisheries Safety Flyer is available to the fishing sector and wider marine community here: https://www.sserenewables.com/offshore-wind/fisheries/