HLS 14RS-3684 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 101
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEOPOLD
FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Affirms support and appreciation for the Gulf menhaden
fishery
A RESOLUTION1
To express and affirm the support and appreciation of the House of Representatives of the2
Legislature of Louisiana for the Gulf menhaden fishery and all of the economic and3
social contributions that industry has made to the state through many years of4
operation in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore in the coastal areas of the state.5
WHEREAS the Gulf menhaden fishery industry generates an annual economic6
impact of nearly eight hundred twenty-five million dollars to the economy of the state of7
Louisiana; and8
WHEREAS the Gulf menhaden fishery industry expends in excess of eighty million9
dollars annually in purchases for materials and supplies from industry support vendors with10
nearly sixty-five percent of those purchases made from other Louisiana businesses; and11
WHEREAS the Gulf menhaden fishery industry provides over seven hundred12
twenty-five jobs to citizens of the state of Louisiana with the salaries paid to those people13
directly enhancing the economy of the state; and14
WHEREAS the Gulf menhaden fishery industry indirectly creates and supports many15
other good, high paying jobs throughout the state of Louisiana; and16
WHEREAS the Gulf menhaden fishery is the largest fishery by volume in both the17
state of Louisiana and the entire Gulf of Mexico; and18
WHEREAS the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission declared in 2013 through19
its SouthEast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR 32A) report that "the Gulf Menhaden20
stock in the Gulf of Mexico is not undergoing overfishing and is not overfished"; and21 HLS 14RS-3684 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 101
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WHEREAS independent data has shown clear trends of increasing biomass and1
recruitment along with declining mortality in the Gulf menhaden stock over the last twenty2
years; and3
WHEREAS the recent stock assessment of Gulf menhaden found in the Gulf of4
Mexico demonstrates that the fishery is being harvested and managed at a sustainable level5
and will continue to employ Louisianians and contribute to the economy and well-being of6
the state for many years to come.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the8
Legislature of Louisiana, that based on the fishery science established by the Gulf States9
Marine Fisheries Commission, as a result of the responsible harvesting conducted by the10
fishing community, the Gulf menhaden industry is and will continue to be of great value to11
our state, occupy a key role in job creation, and provide substantial positive economic effect12
on our region.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature14
of Louisiana does hereby express and affirm the support and appreciation for the Gulf15
menhaden fishery and all of the economic and social contributions that industry has made16
to the state through many years of operation in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore in the coastal17
areas of the state.18
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Leopold HR No. 101
Expresses and affirms the support and appreciation of the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of La. for the Gulf menhaden fishery and all of the economic and social
contributions that industry has made to the state through many years of operation in the Gulf
of Mexico and onshore in the coastal areas of the state.