Portland has become the first fishing port in Maine to join in a regional program that enables fishermen to dispose of unwanted gear which is then recycled or converted into energy.
Area fishermen who use the Portland Fish Exchange can drop their gear cost-free into a bin at the Portland Fish Pier. Under the Fishing for Energy partnership, metal is removed for recycling and nets and rope are incinerated at a waste-to-energy plant in Haverhill, Mass.
Mayor Jill Duson hailed the project Friday as an example of how government can team up with industry to improve the environment, reduce energy dependency and support the local economy.