Irish marine servicing outfit Green Rebel Marine has partnered with Fisheries Liaisons to ensure coastal communities are consulted with ahead of any work and activities in relation to offshore wind.
Fisheries Liaisons’ and Green Rebel Marine’s tie-up is designed to ensure coastal communities are consulted with in advance of any work, and fully informed of the latest developments involving wind farm operations, the partners stated.
Fisheries Liaisons has been a strong supporter of fishing communities across the island of Ireland in their dealings with other offshore operators, with a “strong reputation” for engagement with communities fishing in Irish coastal waters ahead of the arrival of new entrants to the offshore market.
Green Rebel Marine’s Pearse Flynn said: “Having come from a fishing community, I really appreciate the importance of the industry to livelihoods around the coast.
“The roll out of offshore wind will cross with the fishing industry at a number of points, and this new relationship with Fisheries Liaisons will mean that fishermen and their representatives organisations will be kept in the loop at all times.
“We aim to create a one-stop-shop between the fishing sector, their communities and the energy companies looking to place wind farms in Irish territorial waters. This new sector will create jobs and secure the future of our coastal communities.”
Plans for offshore wind farms are at an advanced stage with a number of potential fixed and floating operators examining sites along the coast from Dundalk in County Louth, to the Cork coast and beyond.
Fisheries Liaison has three full time staff, who will be based from the headquarters of Green Rebel Marine in Crosshaven, Cork.
Since its creation, Fishery Liaisons has built a “solid reputation” conducting site specific risk analysis for a wide array of marine projects.
In recent years, the company has evolved into the main stakeholder engagement partner for offshore wind project developers and the fishing community at large.
The team, all stemming from strong fishing heritage, apply decades of offshore and fishing liaison experience, to facilitate clear and transparent dialogue between the project developers and the fishing communities.
Mark O’Reilly of Fisheries Liaisons added: “Joining forces with Green Rebel Marine provides the platform we need to safeguard our fishing communities whilst enabling the development of offshore renewable energy towards a greener future for all.”