BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Projects in Bellingham aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of commercial fishing are among many that have had their federal funds dry up.
The Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County says five engine replacement projects for three different companies have been put on hold after DOGE froze grants from the EPA.
The group’s executive director, Dan Tucker, says uncertainty about the funding has made it difficult for fishers to move forward with projects that will help them and the community.
“Some of these fishermen don’t have the money to do these upgrades unless they can count on this reimbursement, which means once they schedule that work, they’re committed,” Tucker said. “If that vessel gets done, if the project gets done, and they turn the paperwork in and the money’s not there, they would be in trouble.”
He says these upgrades would help fishers who in some cases are operating boats with engines built in the 1960s.
The upgrades would improve efficiency, reduce emissions and allow the companies in the area to continue working longer at a higher profit.
Tucker says there is some hope that the projects will go forward since the engine conversions would be diesel-to-diesel, but nothing is certain at this point.
The Bellingham companies are among fishers and processors from Alaska to Maine who say they’ve been left high and dry after being told that promised funding was being pulled back or under review.
