2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 66
BY SENATORS CHABERT AND PEACOCK AND REPRESENTATI VE GISCLAIR
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To memorialize the Congress of the United States to take action against illegal, unreported,
and unregulated fishing in Louisiana's sovereign waters by passing H.R. 774, the
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015.
WHEREAS, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a global problem with
serious economic, environmental, and security implications; and
WHEREAS, illegal fishing accounts for economic losses of up to billions of dollars
per year nationally and such 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, illegal fishing is of particular consequence in Louisiana, where the Gulf
Coast waters supply seafood for the citizens of the United States and support the hospitality
industry, tourism-related businesses, and the vibrant recreational and commercial fishing
industry; and
WHEREAS, not only does illegal fishing result in economic losses to the Louisiana
fishing industry and other coastal businesses, but it also is a threat to the sustainability of our
fisheries and to the Louisiana Gulf Coast ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the United States Coast Guard is to be commended for apprehending
and investigating foreign vessels engaged in illegal activity along the U.S.-Mexico border,
often patrolling the Gulf of Mexico in a cat-and-mouse game specifically with Mexican
fishermen who are fishing illegally; and
WHEREAS, illegal fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico compete for local fish stock and
disregard state and federal laws on catch limits, or of marine species including marine
mammals and sea turtles that are indiscriminately killed by the use of illegal long-line
netting, and where some of the illegally caught fish is exported back into the U.S. and flood
the market; and
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WHEREAS, vessels involved with illegal fishing are also associated with other
crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal immigration, and the
incursion by these foreign fishing vessels into U.S. waters constitutes a violation of our
sovereignty.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes
the Congress of the United States to take action against illegal, unreported, and unregulated
fishing in our sovereign waters by passing H.R. 774, the Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby expresses
its commitment to the elimination of illegal fishing, to the long-term conservation of
Louisiana marine resources, and to the protection of the Louisiana Gulf Coast fishing and
coastal communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the secretary of the United States Senate and the clerk of the United States House of
Representatives and to each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States
Congress.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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