Nord Stream finalised agreements with German, Finnish, Swedish and Danish fishery associations that govern compensation and mitigation measures to be taken during construction and operation of the pipeline. With the Russian Federal Fishing Agency a compensation payment was agreed on. All agreements are in accordance with the specific, relevant legislation and are based on negotiations with fishermen and fishing authorities.
As part of the permitting process, Nord Stream conducted a detailed assessment of the possible impact on fishing activities, as the planned pipelines cross important fishing grounds in the Baltic Sea, in particular those near Bornholm. Fishing plays an important role in the communities along the Baltic Sea coast, and one of Nord Stream’s priorities as a responsible operator is to ensure that fishing activities remain safe and unrestricted by the pipelines as much as possible. The assessment shows that Nord Stream will only have some local impacts of minor significance.
While the pipelines have been designed to withstand the impact of fishing activities, fishermen will have to modify their trawling patterns and fishing techniques in certain places. Nord Stream will compensate them for this additional effort required to fish in the vicinity of the pipelines, as well as for restrictions that will arise during construction works.