The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced eight grants totaling $412,000 to address derelict fishing gear that’s been lost, abandoned or discarded in U.S. port communities.
The grants were made possible by the Fishing for Energy program, a partnership between NFWF, Covanta, Schnitzer Steel Industries and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program.
“By engaging local communities and fishers in the prevention of derelict fishing gear and the harm it can cause, Fishing for Energy supports healthy and functioning marine ecosystems,” Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF said in a statement.
The effort is expected to prevent more than 845,000 pounds of fishing gear from potentially entering the coastal waters of California, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey and Oregon.
“Prevention is the ultimate solution to reducing the harmful impacts of derelict fishing gear in the environment,” said Nancy Wallace, director of the NOAA Marine Debris Program.
A list of the 2021 grants made through the Fishing for Energy program is available here.
