2012 -- S 2311

=======

LC01170

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY URGING THE RHODE ISLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO

GIVE RHODE ISLAND REPRESENTATION ON THE MID-ATLANTIC FISHERIES

COUNCIL

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Walaska, McCaffrey, Sheehan, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: February 07, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

1-1

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Senate Task Force on Fisheries was established to

1-2

provide a forum for individuals and organizations in the fishing community to present ideas and

1-3

identify challenges facing these communities; and

1-4

     WHEREAS, One of the challenges facing the Rhode Island fishing community is the lack

1-5

of representation on the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council (Mid-Atlantic); and

1-6

     WHEREAS, The Mid-Atlantic Council is one of eight regional fishery management

1-7

councils established in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation

1-8

Management Act of 1976, as amended. The Councils are responsible for the management of

1-9

fisheries in federal waters; and

1-10

     WHEREAS, The Councils make recommendations regarding fisheries management

1-11

policies to the Secretary of Commerce through the National Marine Fisheries Service; and

1-12

     WHEREAS, States with voting representation on the Mid-Atlantic Council include New

1-13

York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; and

1-14

     WHEREAS, The Mid-Atlantic Council manages several fisheries, including Atlantic

1-15

mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB) fisheries; and

1-16

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island lands significant percentages of the MSB fisheries managed

1-17

by the Mid-Atlantic Council, as follows: 18 percent of total landings for Atlantic mackerel, 38

1-18

percent of total landing for ilex squid, 48 percent of total landings for butterfish, and 54 percent

1-19

of total landings for loligo squid; and

2-20

     WHEREAS, Senator Jack Reed has continually submitted legislation in support of the

2-21

Rhode Island commercial fishing industry and especially, legislation providing Rhode Island

2-22

voting representation on the Mid-Atlantic Council; now, therefore be it

2-23

     RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States is urged to pass legislation

2-24

sponsored by Senator Jack Reed providing Rhode Island with voting representation on the Mid-

2-25

Atlantic Council; and be it further

2-26

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

2-27

respectfully urges the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation to work with Senator Jack Reed to

2-28

secure voting representation on the Mid-Atlantic Council; and be it further

2-29

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

2-30

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

     

=======

LC01170

=======

S2311