2023 -- H 6315

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LC002804

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING APRIL 23RD-29TH AS "QUAHOG WEEK 2023" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Phillips,
Place, McEntee, Solomon, Casimiro, and McNamara

     Date Introduced: April 25, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island proudly supports its burgeoning food industry; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's fishing and seafood sector is a key component of the Rhode

Island food industry; and

     WHEREAS, A recent study by the University of Rhode Island finds that the total

economic impact of Rhode Island's 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, In 2021, over 17.5 million quahogs with an ex-vessel value exceeding $4

million were harvested from Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island coastal waters; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's commercial quahog fishery is characterized by over 500

independent owner/operators who typically work alone on small boats and often in harsh

conditions; 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; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's seafood retailers provide fresh Rhode Island quahogs to local

consumers, enriching palates and bolstering our local food economy; and

     WHEREAS, Water quality improvements in Narragansett Bay have led to the opening of

1,908 acres of new shellfishing waters in the lower Providence River, providing a significant

growth opportunity for the fishery; 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 initiative of the Collaborative has been "Quahog Week," an annual

statewide celebration that highlights the importance and appeal of Rhode Island's iconic clam;

and

     WHEREAS, The 7th annual "Quahog Week" takes place in 2023 during the week of

April 23 through April 29; and

     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2023" features a large number of restaurants and markets

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

highlighted on the SeafoodRl.com website; and

     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2023" also features two special events, one at The Guild in

Warren on April 26 and the other at Narragansett Brewery in Providence on April 27, both free

and open to the public, with details provided on the SeafoodRl.com website; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates April 23-29, 2023, as "Quahog Week 2023" and congratulates the Rhode Island

Seafood Marketing Collaborative, the Rhode Island Shellfishermen's Association, and the many

partners who have joined together to make Quahog Week 2023 a premier statewide event; and be

it further

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

Island's local quahog and seafood industry by participating in Quahog Week and enjoying fresh

RI quahogs 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, and the Rhode Island Shellfishermen's Association.

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