Crab company wants payout for wind farm disruption

A company which produces dressed Cromer crab said it was under threat following a "dramatic downturn" in supply which it blamed on offshore wind farms.

Jonas Seafood, based in the Norfolk town, saw the seasonal catch fall by almost a quarter in 2025, which it said put its year-round operation at risk.

Managing director Kevin Jonas argued it should be compensated for wind farm disruption, as have fishermen, because it was "part of the industry".

RenewableUK disputed this and said detailed independent assessments found the impact of projects off the coast of Norfolk on shellfish "would either be minimal or slightly beneficial".

A spokesperson said the study found "there would be no significant impact on local commercial fisheries".

Jonas said there was a "drop off" in the crab catch when the area's first major offshore wind farm, Sheringham Shoal, was built about 17 years ago.

He claimed this was repeated during work on Dudgeon, 19 miles (32km) off Cromer, which went online in 2017, and Race Bank, between Blakeney Point and Lincolnshire, the following year.

"When the operation is finished we plotted an upturn in supply once more," he told BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham.

"In this past year, there have been cables coming in from, I think, Hornsea Three, and we've seen a drop off again, so it's pretty difficult to argue against."

The company processes 500 tonnes of shellfish caught locally each spring and summer by about 35 fishermen from Brancaster to Eccles.

Jonas said he believed that as well as the impact of wind farm construction, trawlers were unable to fish in the prime spots for crab and lobster now occupied by turbines.

The 2025 quota was down by 120 tonnes, Jonas said, which threatened its process of freezing and dressing the seafood.

"It would be devastating if we were to close; we are soldiering on at the moment, but it is cut and dried that we should be part of the [compensation] deal for the fishing industry," he added.

Fishermen temporarily disrupted by wind farm construction have been awarded compensation, guided by the Fishing Liaison with Offshore Wind and Wet Renewables Group (FLOWW).

It said the impact of the wind farms on processing and supply chain businesses - such as Jonas Seafood - was "beyond the scope of its guidance".

RenewableUK said research showed turbines had a "positive impact on our precious marine biodiversity".

The foundations acted as artificial reefs and created new habitats for wildlife, they explained.

"Offshore wind farm developers work collaboratively with the fishing industry as we plan, build and operate clean energy projects at sea," said head of environment and consent Kat Route-Stephens.

"Fishing activities continue in almost all wind farm areas when our projects are up and running, with boats sailing between the turbines and over cables, as offshore wind farms are specifically designed to enable the ongoing coexistence of both our industries."

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