Ecology and renewable energies have been at the center of debates for many years and if research and trials are multiplying, the final results sometimes seem limited and unproven in some areas. After a test on Ushant, tidal turbines are about to be installed in the great currents of the Gulf of Morbihan.
Bertrand Fenart, whom we met for you, explains to us why this project should not see the day.
Hello Bertrand, could you briefly introduce yourself, please?
Bertrand Fenart - I spent my childhood on the peninsula of Monsarrac at first, then in Arradon, a few miles from the gulf. Thereafter, I always spent my vacations in Ireland where I guided in my early years. My professional life then took place in the operational or commercial management of store networks. In 2007, I turned everything upside down by reviving old family traditions. I passed a captain's license and the fishing guide's license in VAE. I set up my own business as a fishing and photo guide in Arradon. Today I devote my time to my passion in Ireland or Norway and of course in the Gulf. I am very busy with the association and I am preparing a photo exhibition, my second passion, on the gulf for October 8 in Arradon. They will be drawn from the thousands of photos that I have deposited over time on my site: http://www.golfemorbihan.com
What is the subject of the TIGER project that you are currently fighting against?
Bertrand Fenart - The Tiger project concerns us because it provides for the installation of tidal turbines at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan.
How old is this project and what is its status?
Bertrand Fenart - In fact, there has been a project for about ten years, to install about twenty tidal turbines in the currents of the Gulf of Morbihan. Today, we are told of a test of two tidal turbines whose consequences for fishermen would be almost the same as for the complete project, that is to say the prohibition of fishing in this exceptional area. However, the currents at the entrance to the Gulf are a major area for recreational fishing, which is used by local families and brings us a considerable number of tourists every year.
Fishing for sea bream in family is inter-generational and more technical fishing for sea bass and sea bream is also practiced. This area concentrates one of the highest densities of recreational fishermen in France. However, recreational fishing is the most important outdoor activity in the country and our politicians seem to ignore it completely.
It seems to me that there is already a tidal turbine in Ushant since 1 year, what are the returns concerning its effectiveness?
Bertrand Fenart - Indeed, and one wonders why a test should be carried out in the Gulf when it has already been done, in Ouessant and elsewhere. Each time the results were catastrophic in terms of financial return and the public aid is absorbed in all discretion and without any serious assessment made available to those who pay, that is to say, us through our taxes.
Who are the stakeholders in this project who have an interest in seeing it succeed?
Bertrand Fenart - The arrangements are quite complex but in any case they allow some to find an interest without the constraints of profitability since it is essentially aid that finances. Politicians vote for and promote this renewable energy project while being careful not to say that these are "renewable loss" projects. Sometimes they don't even know the substance of the issue. The topic simply gets votes from the majority of people who think it is good for them and their future, which is true in theory, only if the project is sincere and realistic in time. Otherwise, it is done at the expense of other really promising renewable energy projects.
What hindsight is there on the effectiveness of tidal turbines and especially on their impact on different ecosystems?
Bertrand Fenart - All the tests are disasters for a zero yield. When we think that for Ushant we spent more than 10 million euros to produce 70Mwh whose market value is 10.000euros. And it is without counting that initially they wanted to spend 70 million euros to connect it to the coast... And it is the same company that will build the one in the Gulf... The risks and disadvantages are infinitely greater than the benefits. In Canada, the tidal turbine treated with antifouling caused the death of thousands of species in the days following its installation. In the Gulf, we will play the sorcerer's apprentice: the ongoing silting which is mentioned in the SMVM (the Scheme for the Development of the Sea, which is a land-use planning tool aiming at a better integration and development of the coastline ndlr ) will be mechanically increased. No study has been done on the circulation of fish, cephalopods and marine mammals that circulate in large quantities. Our attention is diverted to the anecdotal protection of the area where the cable will pass but nothing is said about the impact of the turbines themselves. Maintenance will be impossible given the traffic and the short time of the tidal slack water and these turbines will end up rusting on a quay like the one of Ouessant, in Brest, in the best case if we can finance the millions of euros necessary to get their 360 tons out of the water... Otherwise they will remain polluting the bottom of the gulf.
What are the ecological risks for the gulf if this project goes ahead and for the various recreational activities?
Bertrand Fenart - We have mentioned the ecological risks. On the economic level, we must not forget that recreational fishing represents twice as much as professional fishing. All tourism (camping, bed and breakfast, hotels, restaurants, etc.) will be impacted while the actors are already in a dramatic situation because of Covid. The professions of fishing guide in full expansion, the boatyards, the fishing stores will suffer or disappear. What will happen to the major diving areas that will be nearby. Do you have any idea of the speed at the tip of the blade? It is impressive. We will soon put on our website, in progress, the complete file that we are in the process of finalizing and that will give the figures, costs and financial results, that we have hardly managed to collect.
Professional fishermen and oyster farmers will eventually be affected by the slowing down of the current and the mixing of fresh water and sea water which allows the dilution of land-based pollution. They will once again accuse the city councils while the water has never been so clean. Many people do not realize it, but will be surprised in a few years of new viruses that will come to destroy the few species of oysters that we have left. We will also see algae grow and excessive silt deposits make life disappear. The risks are deliberately ignored and not evaluated... As for the global temperature, a tiny variation of the current can have dramatic chain effects.
You have just created the association of fishermen of the Gulf of Morbihan, today how many members do you have and especially what are your needs in terms of material and human?
Bertrand Fenart - We have more than 120 members in a few weeks and the pace remains steady. Our Facebook group "Fishing in the Gulf of Morbihan" has had 600 requests for membership in a month largely because of this project. Our group has reached 2300 members and can become a real strike force... Here is our email address to join us: association.pecheurs.golfe@gmail.com
Are there any actions or demonstrations planned in the near future?
Bertrand Fenart - We are writing a letter to all the elected officials and people in charge of the project as well as to the financiers of the project. On the other hand, we finish studying the file to make a synthesis as complete as possible and we will see what actions we can take. A petition will also be put online soon.
