2022 -- H 8222

========

LC005895

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 15 THROUGH MAY 21, 2022, TO BE "RHODE ISLAND QUAHOG

WEEK"

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Casimiro, Baginski,
Fenton-Fung, Carson, Speakman, Kazarian, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: May 10, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

1

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

2

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

3

Island food industry; and

4

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

5

impact of Rhode Island's fisheries and seafood sector is nearly 4,400 jobs and $540 million

6

annually; and

7

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

8

history, culture, and economy of the State; and

9

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

10

from Narragansett Bay; and

11

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

12

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

13

determination of the hard-working harvesters; and

14

     WHEREAS, In 2021, over 14.3 million quahogs with an ex-vessel value exceeding $4

15

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

16

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

17

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

18

conditions; and

19

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's seafood retailers, namely markets and restaurants, provide

 

1

fresh Rhode Island quahogs to local consumers, enriching palates and bolstering our local food

2

economy; and

3

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

4

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

5

growth opportunity for the fishery; and

6

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

7

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

8

of Rhode Island's seafood industry; and

9

     WHEREAS, A key outgrowth of the Collaborative has been "Quahog Week," an annual

10

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

11

and

12

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

13

and demand and associated sales and market opportunities for Rhode Island quahogs; and

14

     WHEREAS, The 6th annual "Quahog Week" takes place in 2022 during the week of May

15

15-21; and

16

     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2022" features a large number of restaurants and markets

17

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

18

highlighted on the SeafoodRI.com website; and

19

     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2022" also features two special events, one at Whaler's

20

Brewing Company in Wakefield on May 17 and the other at Narragansett Brewery in Providence

21

on May 19, both free and open to the public, with details provided on the SeafoodRI.com

22

website; now, therefore be it

23

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

24

proclaims May 15-21, 2022, to be "Rhode Island Quahog Week" and congratulates the Rhode

25

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

26

many partners who have joined together to make Quahog Week 2022 a premier statewide event;

27

and be it further

28

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

29

Rhode Island’s local quahog and seafood industry by participating in Quahog Week and enjoying

30

fresh RI quahogs throughout the year; and be it further

 

LC005895 - Page 2 of 3

1

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

2

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Terrence Gray, Acting Director, Rhode

3

Island Department of Environmental Management.

========

LC005895

========

 

LC005895 - Page 3 of 3