FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY WELCOMES FISHING FOR ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

Innovative program to recycle and dispose of old fishing gear

Newport News will be the latest community on the east coast and first in the state of Virginia to participate in the innovative partnership that provides a cost-free solution for fishermen to dispose of old fishing gear that is then processed into clean, renewable energy.

An initiative between Covanta Energy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, and Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., the Fishing for Energy partnership will hold a day-long commercial fishing gear collection event at King-Lincoln Park to collect old, abandoned or lost fishing gear on November 20. Partnering with the program also is the City of Newport News, resulting in a diverse, community-focused partnership aimed at reducing the burden of fishing gear disposal on area fishermen.  Abandoned or lost fishing equipment can threaten marine life, impact navigational safety, and have economic repercussions on fishing and shipping enterprises and, most importantly, coastal communities.

For more information on the Fishing for Energy program, please visit: www.nfwf.org/fishingforenergy.

WHAT:  The Fishing for Energy partnership will kick off the marine debris collection program in Newport News with a day-long commercial fishing gear collection event and a commemoration ceremony. Interviews with program partners, supporters and local fisherman will be available.

WHO:  
- Joe Frank, Mayor, City of Newport News
- Senator Frank Wagner, Virginia State Senate
- Florence Kingston, Newport News Director of Development
- Representatives from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Covanta Energy and Schnitzer Steel

WHEN: Friday, November 20, 2009; ceremony begins at 2 p.m.

WHERE: King-Lincoln Park, 600 Jefferson Avenue

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