First Flight Wind Holds Opening Meeting of Commercial Fisheries Working Group

Dr Matt Service AFBI and Davey Hillm ANIFPO prepare for the First Flight Wind Commercial Working Group.[/caption] Since the launch of the offshore wind project in October 2012, First Flight Wind has met regularly with local fishing organisations, including the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation (NIFPO) and the North East Lobster Fisherman’s Co-operative Society (NELCO). The Commercial Fisheries Working Group will provide an additional forum to allow constructive discussion of any issues of concern to the local fishing community arising from the proposed offshore wind farm. Ingrid Pearce of First Flight Wind said:xa0“We are pleased to have commenced the Commercial Fisheries Working Group meetings. We are aware from our initial consultation with the fishing industry that the project creates both opportunities and challenges. The Working Group will allow issues to be brought to the table and for potential solutions to be explored in a constructive way. We believe that open communication and full consultation will help to ensure that the proposed project will be a positive asset to coastal Co. Down and to the whole of Northern Ireland.” It is envisaged that the Fisheries Working Group will meet up to four times a year, up until applications for consent are submitted, potentially in mid-2015. xa0Members of the Fisheries Working Group. * xa0 Cllr Joe Boyle, SDLP, and Cllr Angus Carson, UUP, Ards Borough Council xa0representing the Tri- Council Fishing Group) [caption id="attachment_35214" align="alignright" width="398"] A windfarm is being proposed off the County Down coast and plans are being looked at in the consultation period.xa0[/caption] * xa0 Davey Hill and Alan McCullagh- ANIFPO * xa0 Stephen Kearney, NIFPO * xa0 Colin Nelson, NELCO * xa0 Dr Matt Service, AFBI * xa0 Colin Warwick, The Crown Estate * xa0 Jim Hayes, Fisheries Operation and technical support, DCAL * xa0 Mark McCaughan, Chief Fisheries Officer, DARD * xa0 Cara Lavery, DoE * xa0 Francis O’Donnell, IFPO * xa0 Dr Richard Briggs, Fisheries Liaison Officer, FFW Ltd * xa0 Lynn Gilmore, Seafish * xa0 Ingrid Pearce, FFW Ltd * xa0 Thomas Frampton, FFW Ltd * xa0 Dr Andy Revill, FFW Ltd * xa0 Sacha Workman, FFW Ltd]]>