"Fueling the Future of Fisheries” is an informal in-person discussion about the high fuel prices that are plaguing our industry (for the second time in five years) and what we can do about it.

This will be a solutions-oriented discussion centered around the possibility for supportive government policies that the fishing industry can organize around. We'll be looking at the Farm Bill, the USDA Rural Energy for America Program, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, and more. By attending this discussion, you will:

• Hear about work the U.S. fishing industry has already done on this topic and how that work helps make the case for new or expanded federal/state programs;

• Learn about a PRESS grant that the Commercial Fisheries Center of RI secured to do research and outreach around practices and policies supporting energy efficiency and alternative fuels;

• Offer your input about the kind of programs you'd like to see in place to provide immediate relief from the fuel prices we're struggling with today coupled with longer term investments in vessel energy efficiency and alternative fuels to buffer our industry from the price spikes of tomorrow. 

A stipend of $100/person is available and we will provide dinner! East Farm Commercial Fisheries Center is located at Building 61B University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881. This event is for all Rhode Island fishermen.

This workshop is led by local fishermen Sarah Schumann and Tim Rovinelli through a partnership with the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island. Please reach out to schumannsarah@gmail.com or (401)297-6273 with any questions.