Fishermen along the southern coast are voicing differing opinions over the construction of a large-scale offshore wind farm currently being promoted off the coast of Yokjido in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do.
On August 26, both groups supporting and opposing the offshore wind project gathered in front of the Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives in Seongsan-gu, Changwon, each holding consecutive press conferences.
The Gyeongnam Coastal Fisheries Offshore Wind Power Countermeasures Committee is holding a press conference in front of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters in support of the Tongyeong Yokjido Offshore Wind Power Project. Photo by Lee Seryung
The Gyeongnam Coastal Fisheries Offshore Wind Power Countermeasures Committee expressed its support for the construction of the offshore wind farm, stating, "Offshore wind power is more than just electricity generation; it is an opportunity to achieve mutual growth with the local community."
The committee pointed out, "Some fisheries cooperatives and environmental groups are misleading public opinion under the pretext of opposition, resulting in the actual voices of fishermen being distorted or excluded."
They further urged, "There must be institutional measures to guarantee tangible profits for fishermen and residents," and called for "a foundation where conflicts between project operators and stakeholders are resolved, enabling offshore wind power and fishing communities to coexist and prosper together."
The Gyeongnam Fishermen's Countermeasures Committee for Offshore Wind Power and the Tongyeong Geoje Environmental Movement Federation are preparing a press conference opposing the Tongyeong Yokjido offshore wind power project in front of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters. Photo by Lee Seryung
The Gyeongnam Fishermen's Countermeasures Committee for Offshore Wind Power and the Tongyeong Geoje Environmental Movement Federation raised their voices in opposition, declaring, "We oppose reckless offshore wind projects that trample on fishermen's rights to livelihood and destroy the ecosystem."
They argued, "The waters off Yokjido, known as a golden fishing ground, are a precious ecosystem home to countless marine species and a valuable asset to be passed on to future generations," adding, "This sea is now at risk of disappearing due to a 2.5GW-scale offshore wind power project."
They emphasized, "We are not opposed to renewable energy itself, but to indiscriminate projects," and insisted, "True energy transition must be based on coexistence and mutual growth."
Opposing fishermen expressed concerns that installing offshore wind turbines in the waters off Yokjido, where large schools of anchovies and various predatory fish migrate, would destroy the ecosystem due to noise, vibration, and electromagnetic waves, and reduce fishing areas, thereby threatening fishermen's livelihoods.
While acknowledging the need for a transition to renewable energy in the face of the climate crisis, they appealed for the location of the power plant to be moved to an area that does not directly impact fishing grounds essential to fishermen's livelihoods.
The Gyeongnam Fishermen's Countermeasures Committee for Offshore Wind Power and the Tongyeong Geoje Environmental Movement Association held a policy meeting with Lee Youngho, Secretary for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the Presidential Office, in the conference room of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives Gyeongnam Headquarters. Photo by Lee Seryoung
After the press conferences, each group presented their respective positions during a policy meeting with Lee Youngho, Secretary for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the Presidential Office, held in the conference room of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives Gyeongnam Headquarters.
In particular, the opposing fishermen demanded: improvements to the procedures for collecting fishermen's opinions and protecting their livelihoods in relation to the Offshore Wind Power Special Act; a reassessment of the permitting process for the Yokjido offshore wind project involving IS Dongseo and others; relocation of the wind farm site; public disclosure of preliminary impact assessment results and the formation of an ecological investigation team; measures to support fishermen's livelihoods affected by offshore wind power; establishment of a consultative body with decision-making authority for coexistence; support for resolving fishermen's conflicts and preserving communities; and a strengthened role for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in protecting fishermen's rights to livelihood.
Lee Youngho, Secretary for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the Presidential Office, is standing and speaking at a policy meeting with the Gyeongnam Fishermen's Committee for Offshore Wind Power and the Tongyeong Geoje Environmental Movement Federation. Photo by Lee Seryung
At the meeting, Secretary Lee stated, "This is not an issue that can be answered by one individual, but I will listen carefully, review the permitting process, and ensure that fishermen's opinions are reflected in the overall review."
He also said, "We will work to establish a consultative body for coexistence among the government, fishermen, and energy companies."
Offshore wind power is only feasible in locations where the water depth does not exceed several tens of meters and where average wind speeds are consistently above 6 meters per second.
Yokjido is one of the few locations that meets all of these site requirements.
Currently, five offshore wind power projects are underway in the waters near Yokjido, including those with permits granted to Buna Energy (384MW), Hyundai Construction (360MW), and Youngdong Power (9.9MW), as well as projects under application or re-examination by IS Dongseo (340MW) and Korea South-East Power (400MW).
These companies will install wind turbines at sea from the lower left of Tongyeong Yokjido to Jwasarido by 2032.
The total planned area is about 146 square kilometers, equivalent to 50 times the size of Yeouido in Seoul or 23,000 soccer fields.
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