Closure-threatened factory blames wind farms for fewer crabs in Norfolk's waters |
But now the industry faces a fresh threat that they say is reducing the number of crustaceans being caught off the Norfolk coast.
Jonas Seafood, the seaside town's largest producer of dressed crab, blames offshore wind farms for the diminishing amount of shellfish reaching its factory.
Nick Samujlik, director at Jonas Seafood, and Kevin Jonas, managing director, outside the firm’s processing plant in Cromer (Image: Supplied)
Fishermen say turbines built on some of the best grounds for crab and lobster are disrupting the seabed, threatening the future of their centuries-old industry.
But the energy companies operating Norfolk's wind farms dispute these claims.
They argue the foundations of turbines can support marine life and increase biodiversity by creating 'artificial reefs'.
These reef-like environments can attract more crabs and lobsters than flat areas of the seabed.
Norwegian energy company Equinor's Dudgeon offshore wind farm is located 20 miles off the coast of Cromer in waters between 18m to 25m deep (Image: Equinor)
“The future is looking uncertain for us," said Kevin Jonas, managing director of Jonas Seafood, which has been producing dressed crab in the town for more than three decades.
“It’s soul-destroying. We have put our heart and soul into this.
“Any business has good........