News from NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program                                           February 15, 2011  
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Energy Use in Fisheries
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Energy Use in Fisheries Symposium Feedback

"The symposium couldn't have been more timely. If the industry is to have any real effect on reducing emissions and protecting seafood resources, it must move beyond its own tail pipes and smoke stacks and help influence and implement effective energy policy and practice across the board.

Of course, while working on long term energy/climate problems and solutions, the industry needs to be practicing proven and immediate energy-saving measures, striving to be a leader and model. The symposium was notable for presenting practical ways to do just that."  

 Cordially,

Eric Swenson

Coordinator, Productive Oceans Study Group

 

 

   
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Dear Sea Grant Stakeholders,  

Can you imagine a fleet of "french fry" boats run on recycled cooking oil for a cost of just $2 per day? How about a solar powered wild salmon fishery? These and other resourceful innovations are emerging as promising new answers to age-old problems. NOAA Sea Grant is investing in renewable energy solutions to support our nation's fisheries and seafood consumers. This is why, in partnership with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, Sea Grant co-hosted the Energy Use in Fisheries: Improving Efficiency and Technological Innovations from a Global Perspective Symposium, November 14-17, 2010 in Seattle, WA. Fishers, managers, scientists and industry representatives from 15 countries participated in this leading-edge symposium. I am pleased to announce that the proceedings are now available online.   

 

Here are several highlights:    

  • U. S. Congressman Jay Inslee, noted, "Conferences like this enable our fisheries industry to capitalize on the growing need for new innovations in clean energy technologies and sustainability....
    Investments in sustainable energy are not just good for the environment, they are also good for the bottom line."
  • Presentation topics included "Peace Through Grease," a boat powered from Margaritaville Restaurant waste vegetable oil, a solar powered wild salmon fishery fleet, biofuel made from algae, direct sale seafood marketing opportunities for fishers, and gear and vessel enhancements that are saving money and increasing efficiency, including a green re-fit of the Time Bandit fishing vessel, and more.
  • Participants identified individual and collective responses to many identified challenges, including (collective):  
    • Energy-efficient audits of management plans
    • R&D programs for vessel design
    • Energy-efficiency "label" for seafood products
    • Government investment in energy-saving fishing technologies

To learn more about this dynamic conference, or to join in the continuing dialogue, I invite you to review the proceedings (which include session presentations and notes), and to visit our new Energy Use in Fisheries Symposium Network Ning site. The Ning is a professional forum for commercial and recreational fishers, processors, engineers, boat and engine developers, aquaculturists, fishery managers, administrators, scientists and others from around the world. We are working to improve energy efficiency and to reduce the energy costs of global fisheries and aquaculture production by facilitating the exchange of energy-related information among fisheries sectors. Please join us.

 

Regards,

Leon M. Cammen,

Director, National Sea Grant College Program

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Sea Grant College Program
http://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/