The Turbulent Baltic

Bojadżijewa, I., Siwiński, P., Rączka, J., Orzechowski, K. (2024). Niespokojny Bałtyk. Polskie rybołówstwo a morskie farmy wiatrowe. Instrat Policy Paper 01/2024.
turbulent baltic

Poland’s once-thriving fishing sector is now shrinking rapidly. Despite employing around 2,500 workers and operating roughly 800 vessels, the sector is under pressure from declining fish populations and ecosystem degradation. However, as a new report from Instrat highlights, wind farms are not the fishing industry’s main challenge—in fact, they may offer new opportunities for collaboration and revival.

From Cod Boom to Decline

The times of prosperity, called the “cod boom”, are a distant memory. Today, declining fish stocks and stricter catch limits have made fishing profitable only for a small number of large vessels. While offshore wind farms can disrupt access to fishing grounds or ports, their impact pales in comparison to the sector’s main issues: climate change, rising water temperatures, and dwindling fish populations.
Clear policies and fair compensation frameworks are essential to ensure coexistence between fisheries and wind energy. Discussions are already underway between developers, fishermen, and government officials as part of the Polish offshore wind sector deal. Poland’s fishing vessels could also serve as service providers for the green energy sector –  said Marcin Jodko, a fishing fleet owner and president of the National Chamber of Fish Producers – Our industry is struggling. Still, offshore wind investments could provide much-needed support and hope for the future.

The Promise of Offshore Wind

Poland’s offshore wind sector is on the brink of a major expansion, with construction of the first wind farm set to begin in 2025. By 2040, an estimated 18 GW of offshore wind capacity could supply over 40% of Poland’s current energy demand, making it a linchpin of the country’s decarbonisation strategy.

The offshore wind boom is expected to generate 63,000 jobs, but most will be out of reach for fishermen due to age, skill gaps, and language barriers. Crew members, who lack union representation, are particularly vulnerable. Training and certification requirements for offshore work pose additional hurdles, though the industry is beginning to offer targeted programs to address these needs. These good practices are detailed in our report, said Piotr Siwiński, an offshore wind analyst at the Instrat.

Just Transition Beyond Coal Regions

The European Union’s Just Transition Mechanism provides significant funding to support workers affected by energy transitions, primarily in coal-dependent regions. However, as the energy transition extends, the needs of communities adjacent to renewable infrastructure must also be addressed.

For the fishing sector, a just transition involves building resilience to social, economic, and environmental challenges. Opportunities for retraining Baltic fishermen in the renewables sector are limited, so available options must be fully utilised and clearly communicated – said Iwona BojadĹĽijewa, Project Manager at the Instrat Foundation and lead author of the report. While the exact number of fishermen who will find employment in offshore wind remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the just transition for Baltic fisheries is already underway, driven by operational programs and cross-sector collaboration. Strengthening ties between fisheries and offshore wind developers, alongside creating more job opportunities for fishing crews, could further secure the future of Poland’s coastal communities.

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