2019 -- S 0735

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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

COMMEMORATING "QUAHOG WEEK 2019" FROM MARCH 25 TO MARCH 31

     

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Ruggerio, Algiere, Metts, and Lawson

     Date Introduced: March 28, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is widely and increasingly recognized for its food industry;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's booming local food sector now supports more than 60,000

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jobs throughout the State and continues to attract and inspire the imagination of entrepreneurs and

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innovators; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's fishing and seafood sector has been, and continues to be, a

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vital part of the Rhode Island food industry; and

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     WHEREAS, A recently completed study by the University of Rhode Island found that the

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total economic impact of the Rhode Island fisheries and seafood sector is nearly 4,400 jobs and

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$540 million annually; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island quahog fishery plays a particularly important role in the

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history, culture, and economy of the State; and

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     WHEREAS, The quahog is the most economically important marine resource harvest

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from Narragansett Bay, with the quahog fishery being the fourth most valuable of all Rhode

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Island fisheries, following scallops, squid, and lobsters; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2018, over 22 million quahogs were harvested and landed in Rhode

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Island, with an off-the-boat value of $4.7 million; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's commercial quahog fishery is characterized by independent

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owner/operators who typically work alone on small boats ranging up to twenty-five feet in length;

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and

 

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     WHEREAS, There are about 550 licensed commercial shell-fishermen and women

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engaged in the quahog fishery in Rhode Island, with about 250 engaged full-time and year-round;

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and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island quahog fishery produces a steady supply of fresh product

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to the market throughout the year, thanks to a well-managed, sustainable resource and the grit and

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determination of the hard-working harvesters who brave harsh winter conditions to maintain a

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stable fishery and market; and

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     WHEREAS, Demand for quahogs tends to peak during the summer when stuffies and

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clam cakes are the main attractions, even though quahogs also make the perfect fare for

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chowders, pasta dishes, clams on the half-shell, and other scrumptious dishes during the fall,

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winter, and spring; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative was established by the

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Rhode Island General Assembly in 2011 for the purpose of promoting and advancing the interests

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of Rhode Island's seafood industry; and

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     WHEREAS, A key outgrowth of the Collaborative has been the creation of "Quahog

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Week," an annual statewide celebration that highlights the importance and appeal of Rhode

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Island's iconic clam; and

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     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week" has proven successful in increasing consumer awareness

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and demand and associated sales and market opportunities during a time of year when fresh local

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clams are readily available, but often overlooked; and

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     WHEREAS, The 4th Annual "Quahog Week" takes place in 2019 during the week of

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March 25-31; and

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     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2019" features a large number of restaurants and markets

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throughout the State offering quahog-based specials on their menus and in their display cases; and

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     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2019" also features two special events, free and open to the

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public, taking place at Whalers Brewing Company in South Kingstown and Hope & Main in

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Warren; and

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     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2019" also includes a State House event at which the Rhode

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Island Shellfishermen's Association will be shucking and serving freshly harvested quahogs,

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accompanied by quahog-based samplers prepared and served by the expert chefs from Johnson &

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Wales University's College of Culinary Arts; and

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     WHEREAS, All the public events associated with "Quahog Week 2019" are featured on

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the SeafoodRI.com website; 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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hereby congratulates the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative, the Rhode Island Shell-

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Fishermen's Association, and the many partners who have joined together to make "Quahog

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Week 2019" a rousing success; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby takes this opportunity to herald our local quahog

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resource, local quahog fishery, and local seafood industry; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby recognizes and supports the many hard-working

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men and women who harvest quahogs and make them available to consumers, as well as the

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many restaurants and markets and food-based businesses committed to growing Rhode Island's

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food economy; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby encourages all Rhode Islanders to support Rhode

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Island's local quahog industry by enjoying a delicious Rhode Island quahog-based meal at their

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favorite restaurant, or at home, not just during this special week, but throughout the year; and be

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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 Seafood Marketing

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Collaborative, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and to Mr. Michael

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McGiveney, President of the Rhode Island Shellfisherman's Association.

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