For the past year or so, we’ve been working with fisheries businesses up and down the Massachusetts coast to learn what they’re already doing to reduce their energy costs and emissions, and to help them find new energy and emissions saving opportunities. Many companies are interested in solar and energy efficiency, and increasingly they are considering electric vehicles (EVs). Since we all need a good news story, here’s a cool video of one fisherman who’s made the switch to an EV truck for his business! 

An Electric Truck Hauling Lobster Gear 

BG Brown, a commercial fisherman and lobsterman in Gloucester, Massachusetts, recently purchased a Ford F-150 Lightning for his business. When the lobster season starts and ends, BG's F-150 easily pulls a 20-foot trailer with a hundred traps. BG calls it the most powerful truck he’s ever worked with. Rather than read us writing about it, though, it’s more fun to hear directly from BG!

Many, many thanks to the Cape Ann Climate Coalition for this excellent video. 

More About the Fisheries Project 

Energy Efficient Fisheries (EEF) is a project funded by Congress in 2023, thanks to Senator Ed Markey and Senator Elizabeth Warren, hosted by Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Development Programs, and led by an advisory committee representing large and small seafood businesses and fisheries across Massachusetts. Through EEF, Green Energy Consumers provides energy advising services to shoreside businesses, while other aspects of the project focus on energy saving opportunities on the boats. 

“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,” said Angela Sanfilippo, president of Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Development Programs. “Saving fishing and seafood businesses money while reducing global warming pollution are the twin goals of our Energy Efficient Fisheries program. The fishing industry is continuing to do our part to conserve our oceans and fishing heritage while enthusiastically participating in the energy revolution.” 

“Energy efficiency is the right thing to do. Reducing our carbon emissions is important for the fisheries and it pays for itself through energy bill savings,” says Joby Norton, owner of Mullaney’s Harborside Fish Market in Scituate. Mullaney’s has also made the switch to an EV for its delivery van. For a video of Mullaney’s multiple energy saving efforts, see another video at: Energy Efficient Fisheries. 

Land-based businesses in the seafood industry can request energy advising by filling out the form at General 1 — Energy Efficient Fisheries or by calling 617-380-4741 or emailing Loie@greenenergyconsumers.org.