In Aomori Prefecture Japan, Fisherman were surveyed on their opinions regarding the construction of offshore wind farms near the Prefecture. Out of 511 fisherman that participated in the survey, 16.4% did not support offshore windfarms. 58.9% said they would support windfarms if certain stipulations were met prior to their construction. 12.3% “Support offshore windfarms without exception.” 11.5% “Not sure.” 0.8% “No answer.” The response ratio of “Unacceptable” varied depending on the area of sea and showed a relatively higher opposition ration the coast of Mutsu Bay. As a result of the survey about “Anxiety,” “Essential conditions” and “Great expectations” when accepting offshore wind farms, the responses of “Abandonment of facilities after project,” “Installation in areas that does not disturb the fishery” and “Stability of the fisheries cooperative management” had relatively high numbers.
The survey results clearly showed the most important concern was that offshore windfarms do not affect the fisheries during or after their construction is completed on the coasts of Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
