Press release: Operational safety of offshore wind farms must not be jeopardized by active fishing
Berlin, July 18, 2025. The German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO) warns of the consequences of a last-minute amendment to the German Spatial Planning Act (ROG), which was passed by the Bundestag as part of the implementation of the EU Renewable Energy Directive RED III. The new version allows for the multiple use of offshore wind farms by active fishing under certain conditions, thus calling into question existing safety principles.
"Offshore wind farms are not a space for experimenting with symbolic politics," says Stefan Thimm, Managing Director of the BWO. "Active fishing in wind farms can endanger the safety of the facilities – particularly through potential damage to submarine cables and protective structures on the foundations. The work of the Fisheries Future Commission has made it clear: There are still many open questions – ecological, technical, and legal. Until these are resolved, legal approval of active fishing in offshore wind farms should not be an issue."
Security and clear rules instead of political symbolism
The justification for the amendment to the Spatial Planning Act states that multiple uses – including active fishing – can be permitted as long as they do not jeopardize the safe and environmentally sound operation of wind farms. From the BWO's perspective, this wording signals room for interpretation and thus uncertainty for operators, planners, and investors.
The industry is therefore initially committed to developing solutions for passive fishing and aquaculture in offshore wind farms, as the legal and technical hurdles are considered lower here. "We made our stance on active fishing clear in the spring, in line with the authorities responsible for offshore wind, as part of the Fisheries Future Commission. The industry is ready for further dialogue with the fishing industry to evaluate options for the future," emphasizes Thimm.
"Offshore wind farms are highly sensitive technical installations and of paramount public interest. Active fishing can damage foundations, submarine cables, and protection systems. Such risks endanger not only the energy infrastructure but also the safety of people at sea," he adds.
There are also ecological aspects: Studies by the Thünen Institute show that offshore wind farms have a positive impact on fish life. Stable fish communities, including species such as the French haddock and the dwarf haddock, form around foundation bases and scour protection structures.
In addition, BWO's own surveys show that porpoises use offshore wind farms as refuges. Around ten percent more porpoise movements were recorded in the wind farms in the German North Sea than in the adjacent sea areas – an indication of stable food sources and possible reef effects.
The BWO demands: No opening for active fishing, but continuation of the dialogue:
- Active fishing is currently incompatible with the safe operation of offshore wind farms.
- Passive fishing or aquaculture can be examined based on voluntary agreements between operators. We are open to discussion in this regard.
- Active fishing in offshore wind farms must not be made possible through a blanket interpretation of the law.
- The dialogue process between the fishing industry and the offshore wind sector, initiated by the Fisheries Future Commission in 2024, must be continued.
About the BWO
The Federal Association for Offshore Wind Energy (BWO) is the political lobby for the offshore wind industry in Germany. We pool the technical expertise of companies along the entire value chain, from manufacturers to developers and operators to offshore wind energy service providers. For politicians and authorities at federal and state level, the BWO is the central contact for all questions relating to offshore wind energy.