Jacobsen said the fishing industry had long acted as a constructive partner in efforts to ensure coexistence between offshore industries.
“That is why it is very serious that the authorities have, in practice, chosen to override key submissions from the industry in a matter that will have major consequences for future use of sea areas.
“When the areas are announced exactly as proposed in the consultation, the entire consultation process appears to be a mere formality and a sham process with no real significance.”
Trust in Decision-Making at Stake
Jacobsen said the issue goes beyond a disagreement over specific acreage blocks and raises broader questions about confidence in public decision-making.
“When the knowledge and experience of the industries that actually use these sea areas all year round are not given weight, it undermines the credibility of the ambition for good coexistence between industries.
“The fishing industry is a long-term, renewable and sustainable industry that is entirely dependent on access to sea areas.
“Nevertheless, we experience that the interests of fisheries are systematically pushed aside when new areas are opened for petroleum activity.”
Coexistence Must be Reflected in Decisions
Jacobsen said government statements about coexistence between ocean industries would ring hollow unless they were reflected in practical decisions.
“If coexistence is to be more than political speeches and well-crafted statements, the objective of good coexistence must also be demonstrated in concrete decisions.
“When professionally justified submissions from the fishing industry have no impact on the final announcement, the authorities send a clear signal about how low a priority they place on the fishing industry.
“That is serious and a very poor basis for further cooperation and trust between industries.”