The Energy Efficient Fisheries project is casting a wide net for shore-based seafood businesses throughout the commonwealth and right here in America’s oldest fishing port, offering them free energy advising services.
It is also working on ways to make the fishing fleet more energy efficient while reducing its carbon footprint.
The industry-led project, hosted by the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Development Programs, is a four-year initiative funded by a Congressionally Directed Spending grant of $1.9 million thanks to U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, both Massachusetts Democrats.
“The fishermen asked us for help to reduce their fuel costs and we are excited to be able to offer energy advising services to Massachusetts seafood businesses,” Angela Sanfilippo, president of Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Development Programs, said in a prepared statement.
“Saving fishing and seafood businesses money while reducing global warming pollution are the twin goals of our Energy Efficient Fisheries program,” she said. “The fishing industry is continuing to do our part to conserve our oceans and fishing heritage while enthusiastically participating in the energy revolution.”
The project aims to help Massachusetts seafood businesses be more energy efficient, save on their utility bills, and reduce their impact on global warming which has affected local fisheries.
Noah Oppenheim, EFF’s project manager, said some seafood businesses are seeing an immediate return on investment. The project can also help businesses navigate the challenging waters of state tax incentives with an eye on keeping these business afloat.
Some initiatives aimed at lessening a business’s carbon footprint can come easily, he said, such as installing solar panels on large rooftops.
But areas such as refrigeration or vessel propulsion have proven to be a bit more of a challenge.
The project received a warm reception during a recent meeting with officials of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Oppenheim said.
“Ultimately, this is about supporting business,” he said.
Gorton’s as a model
Energy Efficiency Coordinator Loie Hayes of Green Energy Consumers Alliance has been working with seafood businesses as the project’s shoreside outreach consultant. Hayes noted a majority of the appropriation has been going to finding ways to make commercial fishing vessels more energy efficient and less impactful on climate, but the project is also focusing on shoreside seafood businesses.
Recently, the project released two videos highlighting energy efficient practices at Mullaney’s Harborside Fish Market in Scituate and Gorton’s Seafoods of Gloucester.
“By working with Mass Save and National Grid on energy efficiency projects, Gorton’s has reduced its gas and electricity usage by 5%, with 3-year paybacks or less,” David Gazda, operations manager for Gorton’s, said in a prepared statement.
“We’ve always done the right thing at Gorton’s — focused on recycling and good energy practices,” he said in the video, “but we really thought we could take it to the next level by engaging with our customers, our consumers, and our employees to really develop what’s known as our trusted catch sustainability plan.”
Part of the plan focuses on greenhouse gas emissions.
Gazda highlighted in the video several projects that have led to savings, including high-efficiency LED lighting throughout the facility, replacing drives on equipment, and oil-free compressed air projects and leak detection projects.
EFF did not provide services for Gorton’s, but instead is documenting the company for its best practices for others to follow, Hayes said.
“They are really an exemplar and we wanted to hold that up as, yes, there are ways to save 5% on your usage and all the money that that entails,” he said.
Vessel propulsion
According to the project, energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to reduce fixed costs for fishing or seafood businesses with the many state and federal tax incentives out there.
For example, shoreside businesses can save by investing in renewable energy or electric vehicles.
The project says that in the near future, low-carbon propulsion systems and other alternative systems may become more economically viable for fishing vessels, with EFF at the forefront of this effort for on-the-water innovation.
“Shrinking overhead while reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a win-win-win for a business’s bottom line, the ocean resources we all depend on, and our coastal communities that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” Hayes said.
Mullaney’s video was produced by Green Energy Consumers Alliance, while Gorton’s video was produced by Cape Ann Climate Coalition with funding from Mass Save.
You can view the videos at https://www.energyefficient.fish/shore-based-businesses.
Seafood businesses that want to take part in EFF’s energy advising services can fill out a form at https://www.energyefficient.fish/shore-based-businesses or call 617-380-4741.
Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@northofboston.com.