Greenpeace activists have placed approximately 15 metric tons of boulders on the seabed off England’s Norfolk coast to discourage harmful fishing practices. However, the action could create additional challenges for a major offshore wind energy project planned in the North Sea.
The environmental organization launched the campaign to oppose bottom trawling, a fishing technique in which heavy nets are dragged across the ocean floor, damaging marine habitats. Nevertheless, most of the rocks were deposited within the designated development area of the Norfolk Vanguard East offshore wind farm, one of Britain’s largest proposed renewable energy projects.
The project forms part of a £12 billion ($15.86 billion) investment agreement between German energy company RWE and the British government. Construction is scheduled to start next year.
Greenpeace carried out the operation without obtaining authorization from the relevant marine authority. The activity took place shortly before the UK government announced £1 billion ($1.32 billion) in public funding for the Vanguard East and Vanguard West developments during the COP31 climate summit.
Following the incident, RWE initiated discussions with Greenpeace to identify the exact positions of the rocks and determine whether they could affect construction activities or the installation of underwater cables.
According to The Guardian, an RWE spokesperson characterized the discussions as constructive, adding that the company would continue examining the possible consequences of the intervention for the project.
However, Greenpeace UK co-executive director Will McCallum rejected concerns that the boulders would significantly disrupt the development. He explained that offshore wind companies regularly relocate naturally occurring rocks from the seabed before beginning construction. Some natural boulders, he noted, can weigh up to ten times more than those placed by the activists.
McCallum emphasized that Greenpeace supports the expansion of offshore wind energy but believes marine environments must also be protected against destructive fishing activities.
He further argued that the rocks would temporarily prevent bottom trawlers from entering the protected marine area and causing further damage to the seabed while the wind farm remains under development.
Some of the deposited boulders carry the signatures of actors Simon Pegg and Benedict Cumberbatch. They are expected to be removed within the coming months as preparations for the offshore wind project move forward.
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