For local anglers, a common question about our Aurora Green Offshore Wind Project is ‘will I be able to continue fishing?’.

Aurora Green’s turbines and substations will be located 25km+ offshore between Seaspray/The Honeysuckles and Woodside Beach, beyond the range of many fishing trips (especially those in smaller tinnies launching straight off the beach). Getting that far offshore would need the right boat, good water conditions and a bit of planning, meaning a smaller number of experienced offshore recreational fishers are likely to venture out that way. For the majority of local anglers, day-to-day fishing spots closer to and along the Ninety Mile Beach shore will remain largely unchanged once Aurora Green is operational.

But for those who have the right boat and the experience to get that little bit further offshore, turbines and their foundations can have an interesting effect underwater, often creating localised fish aggregations around the structures.

We’ve found at offshore wind farms in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe, the turbine foundations act like artificial reefs. Turbine bases in North Sea wind farms have supported marine growth such as mussels, barnacles and other invertebrates. Where this marine life attaches to the surface of structures like turbines, they can attract smaller fish and in turn larger species.

While this doesn’t mean wind farms become busy fishing spots, recreational fishing often continues alongside operational wind farms – this includes at Iberdrola’s own overseas wind farms. Once Aurora Green is built, recreational fishing is expected to be able to continue while maintaining a safe distance from the turbines.

If you or your angling club wants to chat with our Gippsland based engagement team about recreational fishing please email us at offshorewind@iberdrola.com.au