11-R243

2011 -- S 0846

Enacted 05/04/11

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY URGING THE RHODE ISLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO GIVE RHODE ISLAND REPRESENTATION ON THE MID-ATLANTIC FISHERIES COUNCIL

Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Sheehan, Walaska, McCaffrey, and Bates

Date Introduced: April 14, 2011

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Senate Task Force on Fisheries was established to

provide a forum for individuals and organizations in the fishing community to present ideas and

identify challenges facing these communities; and

     WHEREAS, One of the challenges facing the Rhode Island fishing community is the lack

of representation on the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council (Mid-Atlantic); and

     WHEREAS, The Mid-Atlantic Council is one of eight regional fishery management

councils established in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation

Management Act of 1976, as amended; the Councils are responsible for the management of

fisheries in federal waters; and

     WHEREAS, The Councils make recommendations regarding fisheries management

policies to the Secretary of Commerce through the National Marine Fisheries Service; and

     WHEREAS, States with voting representation on the Mid-Atlantic Council include New

York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; and

     WHEREAS, The Mid-Atlantic Council manages several fisheries, including Atlantic

mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB) fisheries; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island lands significant percentages of the MSB fisheries managed

by the Mid-Atlantic Council, as follows: 18 percent of total landings for Atlantic mackerel, 38

percent of total landing for ilex squid, 48 percent of total landings for butterfish, and 54 percent

of total landings for loligo squid; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Jack Reed has continually submitted legislation in support of the

Rhode Island commercial fishing industry and especially, legislation providing Rhode Island

voting representation on the Mid-Atlantic Council; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States is urged to pass legislation

sponsored by Senator Jack Reed providing Rhode Island with voting representation on the Mid-

Atlantic Council; and be it further

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

respectfully urges the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation to work with Senator Jack Reed to

secure voting representation on the Mid-Atlantic Council; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

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LC02429

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