2012 -- S 2547

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LC01968

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE PAIR - TRAWL REGULATIONS IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

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

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island commercial fishing industry plays a critical role in the

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state’s economy, including new job opportunities which contribute to long-term sustainability of

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the industry;

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     WHEREAS, The presence of herring and mackerel in state waters attracts commercial

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fishermen, from Rhode Island as well as neighboring states, which allows both large-scale-pair-

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trawl operations and smaller-scale trawl fisheries in Rhode Island waters;

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     WHEREAS, The safety concerns, user conflicts and potential gear damage are paramount

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issues among the fisheries industry and policy makers alike; and that these issues must be

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resolved to foster the continued vibrancy of the fishing industry;

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     WHEREAS, Several states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region have effectively

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addressed issues and conflicts related to pair-trawls through policy and regulatory mechanisms;

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) serves

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to research and monitor marine species to support the effective management of finfish and

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shellfish of commercial and recreational importance in an advisory capacity to the Director of the

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Department of Environmental Management (DEM); now, therefore be it

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

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respectfully requests the Rhode Island Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) to work

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in consultation with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to develop

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comprehensive regulatory reform, as soon as practicable, that shall address the issue of pair-

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trawling in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

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

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Governor and the Director of the Rhode

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Island Department of Environmental Management.

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LC01968

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