Fishing for Energy is taking up the City of Portland to facilitate the disposal of unusable fishing gear from the area’s fishermen serviced by the Portland Fish Exchange. It is informed that Portland is the first fishing community in Maine to partner with Fishing for Energy, an innovative partnership that provides a no-cost solution for fishermen to dispose of old fishing gear which is then turned into energy.
It is said that a bin has been placed at 6 Portland Fish Pier and will provide a cost-free method for fishing gear to be collected and subsequently converted into clean, renewable energy at a Covanta Energy-from-Waste facility. It is told that the fishing for energy partnership is a joint programme between Covanta Energy (Covanta), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, and Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.
This partnership is said to provide a cost-free solution for fishermen to dispose of old, derelict or unusable fishing gear. Fishing equipment, if it becomes derelict, can threaten marine life, impair navigational safety, and have serious economic repercussions on shipping enterprises and, most importantly, coastal communities.
Mayor Jill Duson opined that improving the environment of our harbor and sea coast is a critical priority for the city and in keeping with our sustainability objectives. He further told that this project is an excellent example of how the city, state, and federal government can successfully partner with local industry to reach common goals — improve the environment, reduce energy dependency and support the local economy.
