Commercial fisheries, shipping and navigation

We have conducted a range of assessments within our study area to see how our proposed wind farm site could impact commercial fisheries, shipping and navigation.

We’ve provided an overview of the results of these assessments. More detailed information about the assessments carried out and the subsequent results can be found in our PEIR on the information hub.

Commercial fisheries

During the operation and maintenance phase of the Morgan Offshore Wind Project Generation Assets, our assessments found a range of potential effects to commercial fisheries with the majority found to be ‘minor adverse’ or lower and ‘not significant’.

The project will continue to engage with stakeholders in the region related to commercial fisheries and explore how Morgan Offshore Wind Project Generation Assets can minimise any potential impacts further.

Shipping and navigation

A shipping and navigation baseline was developed through a review of relevant publications, collection and analysis of historical vessel traffic and incident data, and consultation with key stakeholders. The Morgan Offshore Wind Project Generation Assets are located in an area utilised by a variety of different maritime users.

Some potential impacts on shipping and navigation, associated with the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning phases of the Morgan Offshore Wind Project Generation Assets were identified. These include impacts to vessel routing, port operations, navigational safety and emergency response. Our assessments found that the Morgan Offshore Wind Project Generation Assets may affect the Liverpool to Douglas, Liverpool to Belfast, Heysham to Douglas and Heysham to Warrenpoint ferry routes and increase journey times.

With the incorporation of mitigation measures already adopted by the project, the majority of these impacts result in effects which are deemed, in planning terms, “not significant”. Where “significant” effects are identified, including when considered with other plans and neighbouring projects, we are committed to exploring additional measures through further studies and engagement with stakeholders to ensure they are appropriate and adequate for reducing risks to “as low as reasonably practicable” (ALARP) prior to submission of the application. Appropriate risk controls will then be secured through project consents.