Fishing for Energy Partnership names grant winners

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), which runs the Fishing for Energy Partnership with support from Covanta Energy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program, announced this year’s grant winners will receive more than $263,000.

The Fishing for Energy Partnership aims to reduce the amount of lost or abandoned fishing gear that accumulates in U.S. coastal waters.

This year's grant winners are the Boat U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.    

"With this fifth round of grants from the Fishing for Energy Partnership, we continue to invest in innovative strategies that help coastal communities minimize the negative effects of lost fishing gear through important research and educational opportunities," NFWF Executive Director and CEO Jeff Trandahl said.

The partnership was created in 2008 to offer commercial fisherman a place to dispose of old fishing gear at no cost, reducing the amount of debris that ends up in the ocean. Gear collected from the fishermen is converted into electricity at Covanta Energy-from-Waste facilities.

"The world's oceans and waterways are in danger from derelict fishing gear and marine debris," Covanta Vice President of Materials Management and Community Affairs Margretta Morris said. "Covanta and our partners have worked with ports and grantees across the country to collect dangerous gear and debris – over 2 million pounds since 2008. We are proud to continue to expand our focus and resources on education and research programs to raise awareness and learn more about this growing environmental problem."