January 6, 2023 –A new program to plan low- and zero-emissions energy technology for the Massachusetts fishing industry is getting nearly $2 million as part of the recently passed federal Omnibus Appropriations Act for 2023.
Called Energy Efficient Fisheries (EEF), the project aims to “ensure that fishing vessels and fish plants of all sizes in every port in Massachusetts are able to become a part of the energy revolution, using tools and approaches scaled for their businesses,” backers said in an announcement this week.
“Cape Cod Bay is warming at an alarming rate, and so the pace of our investment in innovative technologies and in our historic fishing industry has to keep up,” said U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) who with Sen. Elizabeth Warren got $1.991 million in funding for the program.
“Thanks to the leadership of Senator Markey and Senator Warren, the Massachusetts fishing industry will be part of the energy revolution,” said Angela Sanfilippo, president of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Development Program, which has a lead role in organizing the project, in partnership with other industry and clean-energy groups.
“Our fishermen have known for decades that climate change is a threat, and we’re stepping up to do our part,” said Sanfilippo. “Together, we will find opportunities to save on the fuel bill, reduce emissions, and deliver on the promises of efficiency and a lower carbon footprint that have benefited many other business sectors here already. We’re a diverse industry, and we’re going to find diverse energy efficiency solutions together with everyone in this amazing