When Long Island, Maine native, Christian LaMontagne bought his first diesel engine, he was in the middle of his master's degree in public policy. That was three years ago, and today he’s just like any owner-operator pulling valves, changing oil, and tuning a fully mechanical Caterpillar engine like it’s second nature.

Fishing is what a good percentage of Long Islanders rely on. LaMontagne grew up as a sternman on the back of day boat lobster boats off the small town in Casco Bay, just baiting needles and swinging traps. “I knew nothing about diesel engines or mechanical stuff until like three years ago,” he said. “There’s no fiber in me that doubts I could learn how to take care of an electric system the same way.”

That kind of mindset — hands-on, adaptable, and curious — is exactly what a recent report on clean energy in the commercial fishing industry says will be critical in the years ahead. In the Policy Pathways to a Low-Carbon Fishing Fleet six-part report, fishermen outlined the need for early adopters, collaborative pilot projects, and strong workforce training to drive innovation from the docks up. If you’re looking for a poster child of that shift, LaMontagne is your guy.

LaMontagne fishes off the island and has a slip for his 34-foot vessel, Guillemot, in Portland. While only about 15 percent of his fishing expenses go to fuel, he’s still looking for ways to trim that number even further. Not just for savings purposes, but for sustainability.

“I’ve done a lot of work to try to optimize my fuel consumption,” he said. “But if we can have reliable energy to support more electric or electric hybrid setups, I’m all for it.”

The Policy Pathways report, which compiled insights from 148 commercial fishing businesses across Alaska, the West Coast, and New England, found that the most important features of any new tech were reliability, serviceability, and safety, also values that LaMontagne mentioned.

The report also shared that fishermen are against pushing unproven, hard-to-repair systems onto working boats without further support. LaMontagne’s seen that play out already. “A lot of these newer engines, they have a computer, and something glitches, and their engine turns into a 4,000-piece piece of junk,” he said. “I think people are scared of electric systems because they’re still new. But people will adapt eventually.”

He’s not just willing to try a diesel-electric setup, he’s excited by the idea. “There’s something about being on the water and being able to shut the diesel engine off, and it just being under a form of silent propulsion that is so appealing to me,” he said. “It would just be such a quality-of-life increase.”

LaMontagne also mentioned the electric fishing vessel Lorna Jane, a 21-foot 1978 Cygnus GM21 conversion to an all-electric and solar-powered lobster vessel hailing from Scotland. “It really has challenged the norm,” he said. “Granted, it’s a small boat, but it shows it can be done.”

Youth, infrastructure, and a willingness to lead

One of the biggest barriers, said LaMontagne, isn’t the tech itself; it’s the infrastructure. In Portland, triple-phase shore power is already accessible at certain marinas built to accommodate luxury yachts. However, on Long Island, where he lives, “We won’t get it for a long time, maybe ever.”

That same divide is echoed in the report, which calls for regional planning and parallel investment in vessels and working waterfronts. Without accessible charging infrastructure, even the best systems won’t make it to those using them for work. Regarding new technologies, according to the report, “Fishermen stressed the importance of involving the fishing industry in all phases of product development, ensuring that any technology that may ultimately be adopted, incentivized, or even mandated is not only robust but also designed with a fishing application in mind.”

LaMontagne sees potential and is hopeful for places like Casco Bay to lead the charge. “To be innovators in that regard would be such a badge of honor for the bay,” he shared. In a previous article, he shared his thoughts on a possible move to nuclear over other energy options.

“If we commit to nuclear, and maybe it’s a little out there by a lot of people’s standards or perceptions, but I really do think that if we’re not early adopters, we’re going to be left behind.”

However, his motivation goes beyond noise reduction and fuel savings. He’s seeing shifts in the water and in the fish.

“In my short time on the water, it’s concerning,” he said. “I think about the stocks that are collapsing or falling. It makes me sad. Those are fisheries that I won’t have the opportunity to participate in.”

His perspective is core to what was summed up in the Policy Pathways report: the urgency of acting before fishing communities lose control of their energy future. LaMontagne sees the opportunity clearly; he just wants the tools to take advantage of it.

“There are so many people who say we can’t change, but that’s proven wrong all the time,” he said. “Just look at how quickly the state of Maine went from not having a menhaden fishery to having everyone’s boat rigged for it in less than a decade.”

He believes the same could be possible for clean energy, especially if funding support matches the ambition. “Once you start throwing money at it, people might get interested, people might realize it’s actually good.”

For LaMontagne, the good doesn’t just mean cleaner propulsion; it means keeping Maine’s small-boat fleet alive, competitive, and confidently ready to meet the next 30 years.

Find more on Talking Shop on a Low Carbon Fleet here.