Lots of smoke and a lot of noise in Caen (Calvados) this Saturday, June 19.
After having been “ostrich” for a long time, by the admission of a Norman shipowner, the fishermen “wake up” against the wind farms at sea. More than 300 fishing professionals have demonstrated in the streets of Caen.
The day before, trawlers had moored in the port with large streamers hostile to wind turbines.
In the procession, many Breton flags.
"In Saint-Brieuc, we are in the second pollution, with a hydraulic oil leak", denounce in chorus Aurélie, Kylian and Antoine, who came especially from Erquy, in the Côtes-d'Armor.
The Dutch drilling vessel mobilized on the offshore wind farm project announced a 100-liter leak on Monday June 14 (more than 100 liters according to fishermen).
Another pollution was identified on Wednesday June 16.
"The boreholes will scare away everything: shells, dry ones, sole, squid…"
Even before the wind turbines are up, their installation is worrying. While work has also started off Courseulles-sur-Mer, Pierre, fishing boss in Port-en-Bessin, grinds his teeth: “The drilling will scare everything away: shells, dry ones, sole, squid… The species will find another place to live and will not return. "His Breton colleagues add:" There will be vibrations and noise. A real problem for the deposits. "
The operation of wind turbines is also at the heart of criticism.
In Courseulles, the spacing between future equipment has been reviewed and increased so that boats can cross the park more easily.
But Pierre decides: “It's very dangerous.
Imagine if there is a breakdown.
We would risk drifting against the wind turbines.
Between October and January, dozens of vessels fish in this sector, "for the most important period of the year".
Also to be read: Deemed too polluting, the rally of the Côte Fleurie undesirable in Villers-sur-Mer
Also, fishing professionals are asking and hoping for "a total halt" of the projects. Complicated on paper. On May 10, the Council of State rejected an appeal against the Bessin park. And other park projects are on the rails in Normandy (Fécamp, Dieppe, Barfleur). But "the movement [against the projects] is gaining momentum", assures Pierre. The fishing boss of Port-en-Bessin promises that he will come to the aid of his Breton comrades when the drilling vessel returns off Saint-Brieuc. Until then, there is pollution to be cleaned up around the Breton wind turbine site.