Partnership with National Fisherman: Apply for Steering Committee by February 10
By Sarah Schumann
For the Transition to a Low Carbon Fishing Fleet initiative, four colleagues and I conversed with almost 150 fishing vessel owners across Alaska, the West Coast, and New England about a varied spectrum of policy and technology pathways that could lead the fleet to a low carbon energy transition. Two things that stood out to me as I talked with fishermen were (a) the sheer variety of energy efficiency-boosting innovations that fishermen are already implementing to save fuel on their vessels, and (b) the detailed curiosity with which fishermen are contemplating next-generation power sources such as electrification, biofuels, hydrogen, etc.
On both fronts, fishermen had more questions than answers. They expressed keen enthusiasm for tinkering and experimentation, as well as skepticism towards blanket solutions. While accentuating the importance of fit between specific energy innovations and specific fishing vessel applications, these conversations also made clear that, across the industry as a whole, we do not yet have enough information to assess this fit in all cases. The good news, however, is that pockets of knowledge on these topics do exist around our coasts — in the minds of fishermen, engine mechanics, boat builders, and all of the other technicians who keep the fleet going.
In the next year, writers at National Fisherman will be working with a ten-member steering committee convened through the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign to produce a 20-article series on these topics. The steering committee will be composed of both knowledgeable experts (such as shoreside techs) and curious end users (fishermen) and will work with writers to help readers dive deep into energy innovations that can save fishermen fuel today, while looking ahead to the vessel power systems of tomorrow.
If you are a shoreside technician or commercial fisherman with an interest in these topics, please consider joining the steering committee. The role lasts from February to December 2025 and includes virtual meetings, reading draft articles, and responding to emails. The estimated time commitment is 25 hours and there is a stipend of $1,000/person available to support participation, made possible through a funding collaboration with the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Development Programs’ Energy Efficient Fisheries project.
“Fishermen emphasize that investing in knowledge transfer through education, outreach, and training is an important and cost-effective step towards achieving short-term energy savings across the fishing fleet as well as preparing the fleet and its shoreside partners to eventually adopt alternative fuel and power sources. Respondents demonstrate a keen interest in enhancing their knowledge on these subjects, and a desire to initiate collaborative learning immediately by leveraging the industry’s own networks. ”
