Governor Issues Award to Solar Fishing
Olympia, WA; Amid
growing concerns about the health of our oceans and returning
wild salmon populations, a small group of environmentally conscious
fishermen are now finishing their season with the first solar
powered fishing vessel in the world. Not to be confused with salmon
farming, these fishermen are out there working the waters of north
Puget Sound with the Lummi Island Wild Co-op reefnet fleet. The
solar upgrade as well as other innovations that lower by-catch
to near zero levels, placed the Co-op front and center at the
State Capital Tuesday to receive the Washington State Governor's
Award for Sustainability.
"We are showing
that with a little extra effort, fishing doesn't have to be a
burden on the environment," said Co-op member Ian Kirouac.
"Lummi Island Wild now operates three of the most selective
and sustainable vessels on the planet – one of which
is fully solar powered." The Co-op hopes to build on its
successful solar season by converting its entire reefnet fleet
to solar power within the next year.
The solar upgrade
was made possible by a partnership with Alpha Energy. "Going
solar has helped Lummi Island Wild distinguish itself as the model
for sustainable fishing," said Paul Humphreys, VP Marketing
for Alpha Technologies. "And in their success, other businesses
should be inspired to learn how to incorporate renewable energy
systems into everyday operations. Being a good environmental steward
is getting easier and more profitable to do."
Reefnet Salmon
are some of the highest quality wild salmon available anywhere.
These Fraser River fish are caught 1500 miles from their spawning
grounds, making them high in healthy omega-3 fats. Each fish is
individually handled, protecting their high quality all the way
to seafood cases and dinner plates across the country. You can
find retailers or buy the salmon directly from http://www.lummiislandwild.com/
The reefnetting
technique was invented by the indigenous peoples of Puget Sound,
who made underwater reefs out of cedar bark ropes and marsh grass
to funnel migrating salmon into a small net. Although the boats
have gotten a little bigger and winches are used to pull up the
nets, there isn't a fundamental difference in the fishing method
to this day.
Pictures available
by request or by visiting http://www.lummiislandwild.com/press_and_news.cfm
Lummi Island Wild
Coop was formed when a small group of reefnet owners began to
reorganize the nearly extinct fishery. Lummi Island Wild supplies
premium quality sustainable wild seafood wholesale and to individuals
on the web.
Alpha Energy, a
member of The Alpha Group and a division of Alpha Technologies
Inc., is a full-service engineering and project development company
for the distributed generation power industry. One of the nation's
leading developers of turnkey photovoltaic systems for commercial,
residential, institutional and remote (off-grid) applications,
Alpha Energy is recognized as a market innovator in packaging
renewable energy technologies.
Reefnet Salmon
are some of the highest quality wild salmon available anywhere.
These Fraser River fish are caught 1500 miles from their spawning
grounds, making them high in healthy omega-3 fats. Each fish is
individually handled, protecting their high quality all the way
to seafood cases and dinner plates across the country. You can
find retailers or buy the salmon directly from http://www.lummiislandwild.com/
The reefnetting
technique was invented by the indigenous peoples of Puget Sound,
who made underwater reefs out of cedar bark ropes and marsh grass
to funnel migrating salmon into a small net. Although the boats
have gotten a little bigger and winches are used to pull up the
nets, there isn't a fundamental difference in the fishing method
to this day.
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