In Bremen, Maine, individuals in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries who aim to transition to systems with lower carbon emissions are struggling due to halted or unavailable federal funding. These budgets cuts are attributed to policies from President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The goal of the policy changes is to upgrade outdated diesel engines and at-sea cooling systems, which environmental proponents advocate for to decrease the carbon footprint of the seafood industry. Those impacted include salmon harvesters in Washington, scallop distributors in Maine, and halibut fishermen in Alaska. They have reported that the federal funds initially promised for new boat engines and refrigeration systems have been withdrawn or are under reassessment.
Togue Brawn, a Maine seafood distributor, expressed frustration, stating she stands to lose tens of thousands of dollars. “The uncertainty. This is not a business-friendly environment,” Brawn noted. She urged for transparency and adherence to commitments, likening it to the administration’s broader pledge to “make America great again”.
Recent years have seen environmental advocates focus on decreasing carbon emissions from fishing fleets. According to a study in the Marine Policy journal, fishing released over 200 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2016, a smaller yet significant amount compared to agriculture. Scientists emphasize the urgency of reducing fossil fuel consumption across sectors, especially with the escalating intensity of storms and Earth’s record-breaking hot temperatures in 2024.
Transitioning to climate-friendly operations can be costly, leading fishermen to apply for financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the Department of Government Efficiency has pushed for cuts, impacting funding availability. Fishermen like Robert Buchmayr from Seattle, who is finalizing a refrigeration project for a salmon boat, are now challenged with unexpected financial burdens. Buchmayr was relying on a $45,000 USDA grant, informed last month that it is on indefinite hold.
“The scrambling for resources has become my reality as the grant appeared secure,” Buchmayr lamented. “The communication never indicated the potential for funding withdrawal based on changes in administration.”
Many in the fishing industry describe the budget impacts as chaotic and confusing. The complete scale of the cuts remains obscure, with affected fishermen barely receiving response or clarity from federal agencies. Dan Smith, the USDA Rural Development’s state energy coordinator for Alaska, noted that some grant updates might roll out in April.
Fishermen and commercial fishing entities are rallying for clarity and assurance, as Sarah Schumann, director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign, noted. “Recently, I’ve been approached by those who found their funding suddenly pulled, worrying that missing a fishing season could be detrimental to their survival,” Schumann explained.
In Homer, Alaska, Lacey Velsko of Kaia Fisheries encountered significant financial hurdles due to unfulfilled USDA grants for refrigeration improvements critical for decarbonization projects. Despite recent enhancements aimed at fuel efficiency and product quality, the absence of expected funding has cornered the company into bearing substantial costs.
“We entered a contract with the belief of financial backing, now standing blindsided without the promised funds,” Velsko remarked. “If this uncertainty persists, we’re at a loss for alternatives.”
These budget changes have ramifications beyond fishermen. Seafood processors and distributors, like Brawn in Maine, are also affected. Brawn had only received half of a crucial USDA grant for Dayboat Blue, a model designed to deliver Maine seafood nationwide while minimizing environmental impact.
“This initiative is transformative, mutually benefiting fishermen, consumers, and communities. However, these funding uncertainties are stalling progress,” Brawn stated.
Overall, the budget constraints have introduced turbulence parallel to the disruptive government cutbacks of the Trump era, including employment terminations in federal nuclear programs and trade tariff adjustments, which have reshaped numerous industries.
In Washington’s Bellingham, EPA funding pauses have troubled engine replacement projects for several companies, as highlighted by Dan Tucker, director of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County. The halt in funding complicates the ability of fishermen to pursue environmentally beneficial projects.
“A lot of individual operators desire to address climate change but find the financial risks impractical under these uncertainties,” Tucker pointed out.