R 103

2016 -- S 2724 Enacted 03/10/2016

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT COMMERCE RI, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INTEGRATE SEAFOOD MARKETING AND BRANDING LOGO WITH THE STATE'S TOURISM AND REBRANDING CAMPAIGN

Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Sheehan, Crowley, Jabour, and Walaska

Date Introduced: March 08, 2016

WHEREAS, Seafood industries are a growing sector in Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Annual retail, import and export sales of commercial fishing in Rhode

Island exceed $389 million; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 90 percent of all seafood consumed by Americans is

imported from overseas; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the General Assembly established the Rhode Island Seafood

Marketing Collaborative in response to a lack of resources to support Rhode Island fishermen and

small businesses to combat this trend; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island already has ready access to culturally diverse and upscale

seafood markets, however, competition is lowering prices; and

WHEREAS, An important initiative of the Rhode Island Seafood Collaborative is the

development of the Rhode Island seafood logo which was designed to increase demand for Rhode

Island seafood in the marketplace and spur the economic interests of Rhode Island’s commercial

fishing and seafood industry; and

WHEREAS, A strong local food system also drives growth in related businesses,

including agricultural supply businesses, food processors, cold storage facilities, food hubs,

transportation networks, restaurants, retailers and tourism; and

WHEREAS, The Commerce Corporation of Rhode Island has been authorized to oversee

and invest in the development of a comprehensive tourism campaign and rebrand the state; and

WHEREAS, The integration of tourism and seafood branding would increase the

likelihood of a surge in local seafood sales, bolster the reputation of Rhode Island seafood,

support in-state jobs, and strengthen our economy; and

WHEREAS, Collaborative seafood marketing strategies in other states have fostered

economic development within the seafood industry and increased positive awareness of state

seafood brands; now, therefore be it

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

hereby respectfully requests that Commerce RI, in collaboration with the Rhode Island

Department of Environmental Management, integrate seafood marketing and branding logo with

the state’s tourism and rebranding campaign; 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 Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Environmental Management, Commerce RI, and the Rhode Island Seafood Collaborative.

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LC005135

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