Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Urges federal action to eliminate foreign illegal fishing.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging federal action to eliminate foreign illegal fishing.
Whereas, Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, commonly referred to as “IUU fishing,” is a global problem with economic, environmental, and security implications; and
Whereas, IUU fishing worldwide accounts for economic losses of up to 23 billion dollars per year; and
Whereas, IUU fishing activity is largely conducted by foreign fleets at the expense of United States fishermen, coastal communities, and the sustainability of global fish stocks; and
Whereas, Each year, seafood products from around the globe pass through New Jersey ports in mass quantities, and it is estimated that one in every five fish on the global market is caught illegally; and
Whereas, The waters along the New Jersey coast support vibrant commercial and recreational fisheries, hospitality industries, tourism-related businesses, and a rich supply of seafood for the American public; and
Whereas, New Jersey’s recreational fishing economy ranks fifth in the nation, supports 10,000 jobs, and generates $1.7 billion in sales impacts annually; and
Whereas, Foreign illegal fishing is a threat to the sustainability of global fisheries and may impact New Jersey fishermen, coastal businesses, and consumers; and
Whereas, Reports indicate that foreign illegal fishing vessels have been associated with other crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal immigration; and
Whereas, Congress is considering federal legislation to strengthen enforcement measures related to foreign illegal fishing, improve United States port security, and protect domestic fishermen, including S.269, the “International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act” and S.267, the “Pirate Fishing Elimination Act,” which would implement the “Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing” completed at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy on November 22, 2009; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House is committed to the long-term conservation of marine resources and the protection of fishing and coastal communities, and therefore respectfully urges the United States Congress to approve, and the President sign into law S.269, the “International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act” and S.267, the “Pirate Fishing Elimination Act.”
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of the United States Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the United States Congress to approve, and the President sign into law S.269, the “International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act” and S.267, the “Pirate Fishing Elimination Act,” which would strengthen enforcement measures related to foreign illegal fishing, improve United States port security, and protect domestic fishermen.