Fisheries and Aquaculture
August 10, 2009
Provincial Government Supports Fishing
Industry Energy Efficiency Initiatives
The Provincial Government is pursuing
a number of initiatives with fishing industry
stakeholders, to address the high cost of fuel and
reduce the carbon footprint of the industry.
Approximately $379,000 has been provided to these
initiatives under the Fisheries Technology and New
Opportunities Program, as part of the Fishing Industry
Renewal Strategy.
"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."
To view the facts sheets please visit
www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/energyfactsheet/default.htm
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2009 08 10
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