Locals are concerned that a proposed offshore wind farm in South East SA will interrupt fishing. 

The Southern Ocean off SA’s Limestone Coast has some of the most productive southern rock lobster waters in the country.

Offshore wind developer Blue Float Energy plans to build a 77-turbine wind farm between 8 kilometres and 20km out to sea, which the company says would generate 1.1 gigawatts of clean energy.

The ‘Southern Winds’ project is still in its planning phase, which its proponents say could take up to eight years, before a three-year construction period if all licensing approvals are granted.

Blue Float Energy held an information session in the town of Port Macdonnell this week, giving locals an opportunity to voice concerns about the visual impact of the turbines and what it might mean for the town's fishing industry.

Locals say they do not believe expert studies suggesting there will be no impact to their businesses, waters, nearby whale populations and other wildlife. 

They told the company they have many questions still to be answered about the restrictions around the wind farm and its potential impact on the environment.

Blue Float Energy is awaiting for federal government zoning approval, which requires a number of environmental, visual and economic tests.

The company’s country manager Nick Sankie says that on a clear day, the turbines will be visible from the coast. 

“At the moment, we're not allowed to apply for a licence to deploy monitoring equipment or continue our studies,” he told the ABC. 

“The Commonwealth has flagged, via the minister for energy, that they intend [to zone] the Southern Ocean region off of Portland.

“So we believe that our project will be within an area to be declared by the Commonwealth government, but we are waiting for that to be declared.”

The company has pledged to undertake studies to find the impact of the wind farm on local industries once a feasibility licence is granted.