2013 -- S 0729

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LC01921

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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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, Bates, and Sheehan

     Date Introduced: March 13, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

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

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

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identify challenges facing these communities; and

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

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

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

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

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

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fisheries in federal waters; and

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     WHEREAS, The Council makes recommendations regarding fisheries management

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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of total landings for loligo squid; and

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

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

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voting representation on the Mid-Atlantic Council; 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 urges Congress to pass legislation sponsored by Senator Jack Reed providing Rhode

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

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate respectfully urges the Rhode Island Congressional

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Delegation to work with Senator Jack Reed to secure voting representation on the Mid-Atlantic

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Council; and be it further

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

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

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LC01921

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