Eighteen fishing associations rejected, this Thursday, in Peniche the floating renewable energy projects between Viana do Castelo and Sines, because the sector was not heard and for compromising the activity of half of the vessels
"The energy transition has to be made for all the known and well known reasons. Now, the energy transition does not have to be made at any cost or at any price," Pedro Jorge Silva, president of the Association of Industrial Fishermen, which is part of the Portuguese Fisheries Associative Movement, told Lusa news agency.
The possible closure of fishing areas for the occupation of renewable energy farms, wind farms and others, was done "behind the backs of the fishermen," who, they warned, were not part of a working group representing all interests in the sea created for this purpose.
"We're talking about 320,000 hectares," which according to the leader will "impact and a lot with fishing and there wasn't the care to have this dialogue."
According to the associations, half of the 4,000 licensed boats could see their activity "rendered unviable" and compromise part of the 200,000 tons of fish caught each year.
The movement defends dialogue and asks for financial compensation, which is why it will request meetings with the ministries of Agriculture and Economy and Sea.
The 18 associations, that met yesterday in Peniche, defended that a study of the socio-economic impact of the closing of the fishing zones should be elaborated, as well as a study of the environmental impact to the so-called 'offshore' parks.