12-R141
2012 -- S 2547 AS AMENDED
Enacted 03/14/12
S E N A T E R E
S O L U T I O N
RESPECTFULLY
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT TO
DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE PAIR - TRAWL REGULATIONS IN
THE STATE OF
Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Walaska, McCaffrey, Felag, and Sheehan
Date Introduced: February 28, 2012
WHEREAS, The Rhode
Island commercial fishing industry plays a critical role in the
state’s economy, including new job opportunities which
contribute to long-term sustainability of
the industry;
WHEREAS, The presence of herring and mackerel in state waters
attracts commercial
fishermen, from
trawl operations and smaller-scale trawl fisheries in
WHEREAS, The safety concerns, user conflicts and potential gear
damage are paramount
issues among the fisheries industry and policy makers alike;
and that these issues must be
resolved to foster the continued vibrancy of the fishing
industry;
WHEREAS, Several states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region have
effectively
addressed issues and conflicts related to pair-trawls through
policy and regulatory mechanisms;
WHEREAS, The Rhode
Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) serves to research and
monitor marine species to support the effective management of
finfish and shellfish of
commercial and recreational importance in an advisory capacity
to the Director of the Department
of Environmental Management (DEM); now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of
respectfully requests the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council
(RIMFC) to work in consultation
with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to
develop comprehensive regulatory
reform, as soon as practicable, that shall address the issue
of pair-trawling in the State of
Island; 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
Governor and the Director of the Rhode
Island
Department of Environmental Management.
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LC01968
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