14.5.5.2 Dutch Vessels, Gears and Operating Practices The analysis of data in the preceding sections and information gathered through
64.
consultation with the Dutch Fishermen’s Federation (VisNed 2013) and its members indicates that Dutch fishing activity in the vicinity of the proposed East Anglia THREE project is predominantly by beam trawlers. During consultation it was stated that up to 57 of these vessels fish the East Anglia Zone, of which between 30 and 35 target grounds in the proposed East Anglia THREE project on a regular basis (VisNed 2013).
65. Most of the vessels fishing in the East Anglia THREE site are the large category of beam trawler with overall lengths of between 40 to 43m, displacements in the order of 800 tonnes and main engines recorded to be of up to 2000hp. Grounds within the general vicinity of the proposed East Anglia THREE project are primarily fished by vessels fromTexel and Den Helder. It was stated (pers. com. VisNed 2013) that effort by the Anglo-Dutch fleet7 in this area is comparatively much less, as their main fishing grounds are located in the central North Sea. Further information on vessel specifications is provided in Appendix 14.1.
66. The principal target species in the area of the proposed East Anglia THREE project
are sole and plaice which are fished throughout the year. It was stated during consultation that landings of plaice are highest toward the end and beginning of the year. Smaller amounts of quota are also allocated to Dutch vessels in the North Sea for turbot and brill although the quota has been fulfilled rapidly in the past year (M. Driijver, pers. comm. 2013). It was also noted that whilst fishing for sole had been good, unusually low prices had been experienced due to the high volume of landings coupled with other market forces.
67. Most Dutch beam trawlers operating in the vicinity of the East Anglia THREE area use new beam trawl methods such as Sum Wing or Pulse Wing trawls. These methods provide fuel reduction costs of approximately 20% and 50% respectively. During consultation it was indicated that Pulse Wing gear targets sole more efficiently than plaice and that as a result a shift in the location of grounds fished has occurred as increasing numbers of vessels convert to Pulse Wing gear. Specifically, activity is now higher west of the Brown Ridge; an area of ground located along the eastern boundary of the East Anglia Zone. Approximately 80% of the Dutch fleet targeting grounds in the area of East Anglia THREE now use Pulse Wing gear. A number of other Dutch beam trawl vessels are awaiting responses for derogation to the EU ban on electric fishing. Should this occur, the number of vessels fishing for sole using Pulse Wing gear within the vicinity of East Anglia THREE is therefore likely to increase.
7 40 Dutch owned and operated vessels fishing UK quotas, including 24 beam trawlers.
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 14 Commercial Fisheries Page 40
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