The CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Emily Reichert, Cape Ann’s lawmakers and Mayor Greg Verga were among those who dropped by the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute on Main Street on Friday to hear how its scientists are pioneering the use of environmental DNA to gauge the effect of wind farms on fisheries, and for fisheries management.
State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, the vice chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, a long-time strong backer of GMGI and an attorney who once advocated for the fishing industry as the daughter of fisherman, touted the use of the technology along with state Sen. Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester.
“What you are going to hear today,” Ferrante said, “is that the White House issued a statement that eDNA, which these guys specialize in, is the new standard going forward.”
“And so for the first time in my 30 years of working in the industry, the first time Massachusetts has the opportunity to lead with the federal government and to really be a player in everything that happens fisheries management-wise because for the last 10 years we have sort of been building this model that would be ready for this point in time to engage.”