2019 -- S 0246

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LC001074

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND SUPPORT FOR ALL RHODE ISLAND FISHERS AND

THE RHODE ISLAND COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY

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

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The United States, with its vast coastlines on two oceans, the arctic seas and

the Gulf of Mexico, and its abundant freshwater shorelines along the Great Lakes and our many

rivers, reservoirs and other lakes, is among the largest fishing nations in the world, making up

approximately fifteen percent of the fishery resources and economic output in the world; and

     WHEREAS, Commercial fishing makes significant contributions to national, regional

and state economies; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island commercial seafood and fishing industry is a vital part of

the State's economy and a leading indicator of the State's economic well-being. Rhode Island's

fishing industry catches more than ninety-three million dollars worth of seafood annually with a

sales value of two hundred million dollars annually from transactions with processors, dealers,

restaurants and grocers. Altogether, the Rhode Island fishing and seafood industry supports

approximately 7,889 jobs; and

     WHEREAS, According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most dangerous jobs in the

United States are in the commercial fishing industry. From 2000 to 2010, the fishing industry's

death rate was 31 times greater than the national workplace average. From this same period, 545

commercial fishers perished while at sea; and

     WHEREAS, Despite the dangers inherent in their work, which takes place mainly at sea

on moving vessels on a moving surface, every day, in nice or bad weather, in calm or choppy

seas, Rhode Island's hard-working fishers work tirelessly and skillfully to attain the food that

stocks our stores with fresh seafood and provides our restaurants with the seafood they need to

complete their menus; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island fishers toil daily for long hours braving the elements, and

often don't know what they will be paid until they land at the dock; and

     WHEREAS, It takes incredible dedication and skill to catch the seafood we enjoy on our

dinner plates from the wild and unpredictable waters of the Atlantic Ocean. "The men and women

who work the fisheries of the Atlantic seaboard are as diverse as the fish they seek. They are of

all races and ages. Some are first-generation fishers; some come from generations of fishers, often

with one or more family-owned boats"; and

     WHEREAS, Our commercial fishers have been hit by limits on their catches, lower

prices for their haul and higher prices for fuel. Combined with the danger of working in the

country's least-safe industry, the situation is prompting more fishers, most of whom are small,

independent operators, to hang up their nets; and

     WHEREAS, As a result of this turmoil in their industry, our fishers know how to engage

in the complex issues and policymaking processes that impact their businesses. They protect our

community and ocean environment, and promote and market local seafood, and pilot sustainable

fishing practices; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's fishing and seafood industry is a crucial component of what

makes us the "Ocean State"; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses its sincerest admiration and appreciation and utmost respect for all Rhode Island

Fishers and the Rhode Island commercial fishing industry; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Anna Malek Mercer, Executive Director,

Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation and Richard L. Fuka, President of the Rhode Island

Fisherman's Alliance.

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LC001074

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