“The fishing industry is very well aware of the impact of the rising cost of fuel in recent years,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “The prospect of sustained high fuel prices has encouraged widespread interest in finding energy efficiency strategies to mitigate the overall impact on the industry. The industry has also demonstrated a willingness to work together to reduce potential environmental impacts related to the use of fuel.”
As part of these initiatives, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture provided $99,000 toward phase one of a fishing vessel energy efficiency strategy, to be carried out in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW). The strategy is being developed to address short, medium and long-term measures that can be taken toward energy efficiency.
The latest activity is a series of facts sheets that illustrate specific measures that harvesters can take to reduce fuel consumption and costs. These fact sheets are available on the websites of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, FFAW and CCFI. Other partners include Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), the Marine Institute, the National Research Council and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Approximately 5,000 copies of the fact sheets are to be distributed to harvesters throughout the province by the FFAW over the next couple of weeks.
“CCFI is a proud partner in this project and foresees tangible benefits for both the short and long-term,” said Carey Bonnell, Managing Director of CCFI. “The fishing industry is experiencing difficult financial times and reducing energy consumption, as well as reducing green house gas emissions, will lead to improving the viability of our fishing fleet and obtaining a competitive advantage in the global market for our marine products.”
“Reducing fuel consumption is an important step that the fishing industry can take to be more environmentally responsible,” said Earle McCurdy of the FFAW. “It also translates into reduced fuel costs for harvesters. Several initiatives are currently underway to conduct research on potential design and operating modifications that may be used to improve fuel efficiency for the industry. The FFAW looks forward to results from these studies and welcomes input from harvesters on new energy efficient strategies that can reduce the industry’s overall carbon footprint and cut down on fuel costs.”
Earlier this year, the department provided $100,000 to CCFI and the MUN School of Engineering for a project with the National Science and Engineering Research Council. The project involves conducting an in-depth operational efficiency and energy audit of the Newfoundland and Labrador Inshore Fishery.
The department has also allocated $180,000 toward an auditing program for vessels. The department is working with the Department of Environment and Conservation and the FFAW to assist vessel owners and operators to complete a survey on their vessel operations.
“The fishing industry continues to be a priority for our government,” said Minister Hedderson. “The Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy provides us with the means to work with the industry to develop solutions that enable the industry to operate in the most effective and efficient manner possible. We look forward to continuing to work with them toward these goals.”
