S*1095 Concurrent Resolution, By Cleary, Cromer, Campsen, Land and Davis

Similar(H 4497)
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE ANY FISHING AREA CLOSURES OFF THE COAST OF
 SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL'S
 PROPOSED AMENDMENT 17A TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SNAPPER GROUPER
 FISHERY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION.

   01/26/10  Senate Introduced SJ-4
   01/26/10  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-4
   02/10/10  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Fish,
                     Game and Forestry SJ-7
   02/11/10  Senate Committee Amendment Adopted SJ-16
   02/11/10  Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-16
   02/16/10         Scrivener's error corrected
   02/18/10  House  Introduced HJ-15
   02/18/10  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-15
   03/03/10  House  Recalled from Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-22
   03/04/10  House  Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence HJ-24

RECALLED

March 3, 2010

S. 1095

S. Printed 3/3/10--H.

Read the first time February 18, 2010.

TO OPPOSE ANY FISHING AREA CLOSURES OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL'S PROPOSED AMENDMENT 17A TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SNAPPER GROUPER FISHERY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION.

Whereas, in an effort to address potential overfishing of red snapper, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) is considering an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; and

Whereas, the SAFMC is considering closing to fishing a nine thousand six hundred seventy-eight square mile area in the South Atlantic, of which about three thousand five hundred square miles are off the coast of South Carolina, stretching north from the border with Georgia to near McClellanville; and

Whereas, red snapper landings in South Carolina account for only eleven percent of the total red snapper landings in the South Atlantic region; and

Whereas, the National Marine Fisheries Service has already imposed a total closure of the red snapper fishery; 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 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, saltwater fishing in South Carolina had a total economic impact of over one billion dollars, employed nearly twelve thousand South Carolinians, and generated over three hundred thirty-three million dollars in salary and wages; and

Whereas, according to a 2008 University of South Carolina study, commercial fishing in South Carolina had a total 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, any area closed to fishing off the coast of South Carolina under consideration by the SAFMC is unjustifiable and would cause severe economic hardship to the State and its coastal counties, including significant job loss at a time when job creation is badly needed and is a priority for the State; and

Whereas, any area closed to fishing off the coast of South Carolina will result in excessive fishing pressure on the remaining open areas, causing localized depletion of fish species, further seriously impacting fishermen, employment, and the local economy; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina, through the Department of Natural Resources, has a vote on the SAFMC; and

Whereas, South Carolina has two additional representatives that are voting members of the SAFMC. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina opposes any areas closed to fishing off the coast of South Carolina associated with the SAFMC's proposed amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.

Be it further resolved that the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina urges the SAFMC to not adopt any amendment that includes any areas being closed to any type of fishing off the coast of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, all South Carolina representatives on the SAFMC, the SAFMC, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.