The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced nearly $1.2 million in funding through the Massachusetts Fisheries Innovation Fund, aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the state’s commercial fishing industry. The funding will support projects focused on modified fishing gear for use in offshore wind areas, address vessel safety around infrastructure, and boost consumer awareness and preference for local, healthy Massachusetts seafood.

“Massachusetts is home to a nation-leading seafood industry and thriving blue economy. Investing in the strength and resilience of our commercial fishing industry is crucial to sustain our local economies and coastal culture,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We are proud to support our commercial fishers, who provide us with healthy, delicious seafood, all while finding ways to advance innovative research.”

The Fisheries Innovation Fund is administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries and guided by a nine-member advisory panel made up of Massachusetts fishing industry members. The program is specifically designed to promote coexistence between commercial and for-hire fisheries and offshore wind development.

Department of Fish and Game commissioner Tom O’Shea said the funding will directly support industry participants navigating these changes. “This will directly support researchers, fishers, and industry advocates navigating offshore wind development in coastal waters. From commercial fishers to for-hire vessels to shoreside businesses, all will benefit from this unique opportunity for innovation and growth.”

For 2025, $700,000 will be allocated to fishing innovation projects, $450,000 to community resilience programs, and $60,000 to safety initiatives. Roughly $375,000 of the total funding will be distributed through subcontracts to the commercial fishing industry, with approximately $275,000 going directly to commercial fishermen. Projects will collaborate with more than 10 fishing businesses, including at least three Massachusetts commercial fishing vessels.

The 2025 Fisheries Innovation Fund grant awardees are:

• UMass Dartmouth SMAST, Fishing Innovation, $265,984
  Development and testing of novel lighted fish pots for black sea bass and scup, deployed within offshore wind areas, to evaluate catch rates and economic feasibility for safe, continued fishing around offshore wind infrastructure.
• Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, Fishing Innovation, $261,443
  Furthering the understanding of mechanical squid jigging on commercial fishing vessels to determine the efficiency and economic viability of the gear, which is compatible with offshore wind farms.
• New Bedford Port Authority, Community Resilience, $250,000 for improving the visibility and resilience of New Bedford’s fisheries, which operate in and adjacent to offshore wind farm areas, through marketing and promotional campaigns to strengthen visibility and consumer identity of New Bedford seafood landings and products.
• F/V Martha Elizabeth, Fishing Innovation, $174,908 for developing, testing, and monitoring innovative fish and sea scallop traps in and adjacent to offshore wind areas to determine catch and economic viability of the gear. Conceived of by, and led by a fisherman, this project is designed to create effective fishing gear for use in offshore wind areas.
• Eating with the Ecosystem Inc., Community Resilience, $156,533 for Public engagement events and video content featuring fishermen, chefs and home cooks on healthy, local and sustainable fish and shellfish species caught in offshore wind areas to increase public consumer awareness, acceptance, and demand.
• Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, Safety, $60,768 for collaboration with a commercial fisherman and net-maker to develop, test, and monitor different bottom trawl gear configurations to use near offshore wind cable infrastructure to address safety concerns from the fishing community.

“Commercial fishing isn’t just one of Massachusetts’ oldest industries; it’s the backbone of so many coastal communities, including some that I represent,” said State Representative Kathleen LaNatra (D-Kingston). “Our fishermen have weathered generations of change, and they continue to adapt in an environment that grows more challenging every year. This investment helps ensure they have the tools, research, and support needed to stay safe, competitive, and successful.