Commenting on the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia's moving towards sustainable energy is a positive step in mitigating the climate crisis and achieving net zero. As Nova Scotia is highly reliant on coal and other fossil fuels, having a significant renewable energy source will be incredibly transformative for Nova Scotians. That being said, the construction of offshore wind development must be conducted through the best available approaches that have minimal effects on our environment. This is especially critical to remember with Nova Scotia's fishing industry, which is a large economic contributor. While the regional assessment outlines compensation for commercial fishers in the site locations, the committee should consider other mitigative approaches, such as co-location. A co-location approach means that the offshore wind development would be actively managed with the fishing industry while sharing the same spatial area. Managing marine resources across different sectors would help ensure marine spatial planning is as successful as possible. Many fishers want to continue pursuing their jobs, and this collaboration would help minimize the displacement of fishing areas. It is critical to think of these adaptations now while developments are still in the planning stage, and mitigative approaches can be implemented, such as cable burial and clear corridors. This is an excellent path for Nova Scotia, so it is essential to take the time to think critically and outline best practices for offshore wind development.

ABPmer. (2024). Offshore wind and fishing activities: Is co-location possible? https://www.abpmer.co.uk/blog/offshore-wind-and-fishing-activities-is-co-location-possible/