2019 -- S 0744

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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

RECOGNIZING THE VALUE ON THE STATE'S RICH MARITIME AND FISHING

HISTORY, AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN AND ENSURE THE SUCCESS

OF RHODE ISLAND'S SEAFOOD INDUSTRY

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

     Date Introduced: April 03, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, According to the University of Rhode Island's 2018 Economic Impact of

Rhode Island’s Fisheries and Seafood Sector report, “Rhode Island's Fisheries and Seafood Sector

includes commercial fishing and shellfishing, fishing charters, processing, professional service

firms, retail and wholesale seafood dealers, service and supply firms, and tackle shops. Including

spillover effects across all sectors of the Rhode Island economy, the total economic impact of the

Rhode Island Fisheries and Seafood Sector was 4,381 jobs and $538.3 million in 2016”; and

     WHEREAS, The state's fishing community is a major partner in ensuring the health of

Rhode Islanders by providing fresh local seafood, which is an excellent source of protein and

important minerals, and helps to lower cholesterol and heart disease; and

     WHEREAS, The state's fishers are environmentalists who work tirelessly to sustain our

oceans, which produce half of the oxygen we breathe and are instrumental to the capture of

carbon dioxide; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has a rich, deep history and connection with the Atlantic

Ocean both in times of peace and in times of war. Settlers to Rhode Island have been fishing in

the Atlantic Ocean off Rhode Island’s coast for nearly 400 years, since the 1600s; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island was the first state in the country to produce an ocean SAMP, a

Special Area Management Plan, which is an achievement widely celebrated and often referenced

nationally. The years of study and work that went into that pioneering ocean management plan,

which is an enormous source of pride to all of Rhode Island, must be followed and continued; and

     WHEREAS, Squid is Rhode Island’s top landed fish, with more than 119 Rhode Island

fishing vessels landing more than 22 million pounds each year. Rhode Island squid landings alone

are valued at more than $28 million annually for this one species of fish; and

     WHEREAS, Galilee is the number one port for longfin squid landings on the entire East

coast; and

     WHEREAS, In 2015, Rhode Island landed 16 million pounds of squid while the state

with the second highest landings was New York, with 4 million pounds. In addition, squid is not

a state-restricted fish; out-of-state boats also come to Rhode Island with their squid catch because

of the processing facilities located here in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s seafood processing facilities include the largest supplier of

calamari in the United States. These seafood processing facilities also contribute millions of

dollars to the state’s economy. Rhode Island squid is shipped and enjoyed all over the world

because of the seafood processing facilities; and

     WHEREAS, Along with the State’s fishing history, the $538 million per year and the

nearly 4,400 jobs from Rhode Island’s seafood industry are vital statistics to keep in mind as the

State moves forward and uses the ocean for energy development. While Rhode Island has

strongly embraced the new-to-the-United States offshore wind industry and the approximately

100 jobs it should bring to the Rhode Island area, it is also essential to be vigilant in protecting

and maintaining the State's fishing and seafood industry and with it the history and future

sustainability of fresh, local, healthy sources of protein for all; now therefore be it

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

hereby supports and places a premium value on the state’s rich maritime and fishing history, and

will continue to work to maintain and ensure the success of Rhode Island’s seafood industry; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully requests the Governor, the state

agencies and the CRMC to act in support and furtherance of Rhode Island’s commercial fishing

industry and to do everything in their powers to work to ensure the existence, and the success, of

Rhode Island’s commercial fishing fleet and, at a minimum, that they do no harm; 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 Honorable Gina Raimondo, Governor of the

State of Rhode Island, Grover Fugate, Executive Director of CRMC, Meghan Lapp, Fisheries

Liaison for Seafreeze Ltd., James R. Fox, President, Sea Fresh USA, Inc., Noah Clark, Founder

of The Town Dock, Anna Malek Mercer, Executive Director, Commercial Fisheries Research

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Foundation, and Richard L. Fuka, President of the Rhode Island Fisherman's Alliance.

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