H 4984 Session 119 (2011-2012)
H 4984 Concurrent Resolution, By Pitts, White, Funderburk and Harrell
Similar(S 1332)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO
ENACT WITHOUT DELAY H.R. 3061, THE "FLEXIBILITY IN REBUILDING AMERICAN
FISHERIES ACT OF 2011" WHICH, AMONG OTHER PROVISIONS, EXTENDS THE TIME PERIOD
FOR REBUILDING CERTAIN OVERFISHED FISHERIES, REQUIRES BETTER INFORMATION TO BE
CONSIDERED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL FISHERIES.
03/08/12 House Introduced (House Journal-page 12)
03/08/12 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions (House Journal-page 12)
03/12/12 Scrivener's error corrected
03/13/12 House Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
Memorial Resolutions (House Journal-page 3)
03/21/12 House Adopted, sent to Senate (House Journal-page 50)
03/21/12 Senate Introduced (Senate Journal-page 9)
03/21/12 Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry
(Senate Journal-page 9)
04/18/12 Senate Committee report: Favorable Fish, Game and
Forestry (Senate Journal-page 19)
H. 4984
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 18, 2012
H. 4984
Introduced by Reps. Pitts, White, Funderburk and Harrell
S. Printed 4/18/12--S.
Read the first time March 21, 2012.
THE COMMITTEE ON FISH, GAME AND FORESTRY
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4984) to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact without delay H.R. 3061, the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011" which, among other, etc., respectfully
REPORT:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
RONNIE W. CROMER for Committee.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENACT WITHOUT DELAY H.R. 3061, THE "FLEXIBILITY IN REBUILDING AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT OF 2011" WHICH, AMONG OTHER PROVISIONS, EXTENDS THE TIME PERIOD FOR REBUILDING CERTAIN OVERFISHED FISHERIES, REQUIRES BETTER INFORMATION TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL FISHERIES.
Whereas, in 2006, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act was amended by Congress to include tough, inflexible mandates that require regional fishery management councils and the United States Secretary of Commerce to end overfishing immediately and rebuild fisheries in ten years or less and implement Annual Catch Limits; and
Whereas, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended, has resulted in fishery management measures adopted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) and the United States Secretary of Commerce, such as fishery closures and drastic catch reductions, that are having unacceptable and unnecessary socioeconomic impacts on fishermen and coastal businesses in South Carolina; and
Whereas, H.R. 3061, the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011", has been introduced in the United States House of Representatives to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to allow, among other provisions, regional fishery councils and the United States Secretary of Commerce the needed flexibility to implement fishery rebuilding plans that may exceed ten years in length under certain circumstances, the Secretary of Commerce to suspend application of Annual Catch Limits if a fish stock is either rebuilt or deemed not overfished, or when the level of uncertainty in the data is not consistent with National Standard 8 (best available science), and require regional fishery councils to submit annual socioeconomic impact statements about fishery management decisions to the Secretary of Commerce for development of mitigation plans; and
Whereas, recreational and commercial saltwater fishing is vital to the coastal economy of South Carolina and employs thousands of state residents directly and indirectly; and
Whereas, according to a 2008 University of South Carolina study, coastal tourism in South Carolina had a total annual economic impact of over seven billion dollars, employed nearly eighty-one thousand South Carolinians, and generated over two billion dollars in salary and wages; and
Whereas, according to a 2006 American Sportfishing Association study, South Carolina ranked fifth among all states for nonresident expenditures on recreational fishing with over three hundred fifty million dollars spent annually; and
Whereas, according to a 2006 American Sportfishing Association study, saltwater recreational fishing in South Carolina had a total annual economic impact of over one and a half billion dollars, employed nearly twelve thousand South Carolinians, generated over three hundred thirty-three million dollars in salary and wages, and generated over three hundred million dollars in tax revenues; and
Whereas, according to a 2008 University of South Carolina study, commercial fishing in South Carolina had a total annual economic impact of nearly thirty-four million dollars, employed nearly seven hundred South Carolinians, and generated nearly thirteen million dollars in salary and wages; and
Whereas, for the above reasons, the South Carolina General Assembly supports passage of H.R. 3061, the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011". Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact without delay H.R. 3061, the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011".
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, South Carolina department of Natural Resources, and South Carolina representatives to the South Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Council.
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