Fishermen to Benefit from Tidal Energy, Study Says

Tidal energy developments will provide a significant opportunities for the fishing sector in North Wales according to a recent Marine Services Supply Chain Study.

Menter Môn is the third party manager for the Anglesey Tidal Demonstration Zone and commissioned the study in order to identify local supply chain opportunities. The findings of the study were presented to the fishing sector at a workshop which was also attended by Green Marine in Orkney.

Dafydd Gruffydd from Menter Môn said: “One of our objectives is to ensure that the local supply chain is fully aware of developments and able to respond to the opportunity. The study identified work to the value of £3.5 million which could be delivered by fishermen utilising their skills, marine experience and vessels at their disposal. Fishermen in Orkney have fully embraced the opportunity and our local fishermen benefitted to hearing from their experience.”

The study was funded through the local FLAG (Fisheries Local Action Group) project and was undertaken by MarineSpace and it’s delivery partners Aquatera. The study considered the following:

  • Tidal energy industry requirements
  • Vessels, skills and equipment needed to enable requirements
  • Local supply chain ‐ vessels and skills currently available
  • Options for collaboration between tidal sector and commercial fishing industry

Menter Môn will now work with Welsh Government and the Gwynedd and Anglesey FLAG in order to identify additional support for the local fishing industry in order to maintain the momentum.

Image: marinespace