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

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

and

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

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

innovators; and

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

vital part of the Rhode Island food industry; and

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

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

$540 million annually; and

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

history, culture, and economy of the State; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and

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

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

and

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

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

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

stable fishery and market; and

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

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

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

winter, and spring; and

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

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

of Rhode Island's seafood industry; and

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

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

Island's iconic clam; and

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

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

clams are readily available, but often overlooked; and

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

March 25-31; and

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

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

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

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

Warren; and

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

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

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

Wales University's College of Culinary Arts; and

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

the SeafoodRI.com website; now, therefore be it

     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-

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

Week 2019" a rousing success; and be it further

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

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

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

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

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

food economy; and be it further

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

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

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

it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing

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

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

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