res22289

R 289

2022 -- H 8222
Enacted 05/10/2022

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

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

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

Island food industry; and

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

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

annually; and

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

history, culture, and economy of the State; and

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

from Narragansett Bay; and

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

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

determination of the hard-working harvesters; and

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

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

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

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

conditions; and

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

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

economy; and

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

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

growth opportunity for the fishery; and

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

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

of Rhode Island's seafood industry; and

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

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

and

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

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

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

15-21; and

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

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

highlighted on the SeafoodRI.com website; and

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

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

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

website; now, therefore be it

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

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

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

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

and be it further

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

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

fresh RI quahogs throughout the year; and be it further

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

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

Island Department of Environmental Management.

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LC005895

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