Fisheries are an integral part of the fabric of life in the Swedish islands. Off Sweden’s west coast, Öckerö has a variety of commercial fishing vessels, a boat yard, fishing gear suppliers and other businesses built on commercial fishing.
‘Fishing is a natural part of the Öckerö area. Now the Västvind wind power farm presents a threat to this municipality’s commercial fishermen,’ a representative of the Swedish FPO commented.
‘If this goes ahead, significant fishing areas will be lost, and this will deeply affect fisheries. Some extra money for associations and businesses is a positive, but it’s a high price to pay if you want to keep the opportunity to buy fresh shrimp and fish, and keep your coastal culture and identity. Let’s not sell our souls.’
The Swedish FPO, the country’s largest organisation of commercial fishermen, opposes the establishment of the Västvind wind farm.
‘We hope and believe that Öckerö municipality also in the future wants to be and can remain home for commercial fishermen.’
