WHEREAS, Sustainable fisheries and productive aquatic environments are essential to ensure an adequate supply of wholesome fish and seafood for consumers; and

WHEREAS, An adequate supply of fish and seafood contributes significantly to the health, nutrition and quality of life of consumers and to the economic well-being of the nation; and

WHEREAS, Many people are employed in the fisheries and these fisheries are important to all Americans, including commercial fishermen who fish for consumers, recreational fishermen and those who fish for personal consumption; and

WHEREAS, Maintaining sustainable fisheries and productive aquatic environments requires effective fishery conservation, sound fishery management programs and adequate scientific research in support of these programs such as those provided by the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other fishery laws; and

WHEREAS, The Code of Conduct For Responsible Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations sets forth voluntary standards of behavior for officials and individuals interested in promoting the conservation of fishery resources and aquatic environments; and

WHEREAS, Fisheries are diverse and the effective implementation of this Code and fishery laws depends upon the responsible actions of all members of the U.S. fish and seafood industry including fishermen, aquaculture producers, processors and marketers of domestic and imported products; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Signatories of this Declaration agree to abide by the following Principles, encourage all members of the U.S. fish and seafood industry to do the same, and to work together in the fulfillment and implementation of these Principles:

Principles For Responsible Fisheries

As a member of the industry, I will ----

• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the fisheries in which I participate;

• Cooperate with fishery scientists and managers in the collection of timely, complete and reliable statistics needed for the conservation and management of the fisheries in which I participate;
• Support research needed to improve scientific and technological understanding of the fisheries in which I participate;
• Support development of conservation and sound management measures necessary to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries in which I participate;
• Urge fishery management officials to adopt stronger conservation measures if my experience and knowledge and the best available information indicates the need for such measures;
• Support actions to encourage the conservation of essential fish habitat; and
• Not tolerate damage to the sustainable productivity of fisheries by the illegal acts of others.

As a fisherman, I will ----

• Minimize bycatch to the extent practicable, and where bycatch cannot be avoided, minimize waste of fishery resources;

• Maintain the nutritional value, quality and wholesomeness of my catch while it is on board my vessel;
• Strive to resolve disputes with other fishermen over access to fishery resources in a timely and cooperative manner;
• Ensure the safe operation of my vessel and the safety of my crew; and
• Urge fishery management officials to advance gear research and development programs in cooperation with the industry.

As a commercial aquaculture producer, I will ----

• Strive to ensure that the fish and shellfish I produce do not adversely affect any wild stock of fish or shellfish through habitat degradation, or the spread of disease;

• Use only chemicals and drugs certified as safe to use by competent authorities;
• Properly dispose of waste water; and
• Avoid introducing any unauthorized exotic species into the wild.

As a processor, I will ----

• Provide safe and wholesome products to consumers by establishing and maintaining a seafood safety plan conforming to federal and state requirements;

• Make every effort to ensure that my labeling accurately describes my products;
• Comply with all applicable requirements regarding the disposal of waste and the discharge of pollutants to protect and conserve natural resources; and
• Ensure a safe working environment for my employees.

As a marketer, I will ----

• Make every effort to market only products known to be in compliance with all applicable fishery conservation and food safety laws and regulations; and

• Promote and encourage the sale of products harvested, produced and processed consistent with these Principles; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby requests the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council and the Rhode Island Seafood Council to adopt the principles for responsible fisheries.

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council, c/o R.I. DEM, Government Center, 4808 Tower Hill Road,
Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879-1900 and the Rhode Island Seafood Council, Main Street, Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879.