By:  Armbrister                                                 S.C.R. No. 41 



SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Texas is blessed with a wealth of saltwater and 
freshwater fishing opportunities, and recreational fishing is one 
of the most popular outdoor sporting activities in the state; and
	WHEREAS, Generating millions of dollars and enjoyed by people 
of all ages, recreational fishing makes a substantial contribution 
to local and state economies as well as to the quality of life in 
Texas; and
	WHEREAS, High-quality fishing can be found in the state's 
bays and estuaries and other coastal waters, where the availability 
of fish has never been better, according to the Parks and Wildlife 
Department; and
	WHEREAS, Rod and reel anglers strongly support the Parks and 
Wildlife Department's fisheries management regulations, including 
minimum size requirements, bag limits, and gear restrictions, and 
these conservation efforts have been successful; and
	WHEREAS, The support of rod and reel anglers, who are 
committed to preserving and enhancing water quality in oceans, 
bays, and estuaries, is also important to the Texas Commission on 
Environmental Quality; and
	WHEREAS, The Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas 
Commission on Environmental Quality have not found it necessary to 
restrict recreational fishing in marine waters because there has 
never been a clear indication that fishing was the cause of a 
specific conservation problem; and
	WHEREAS, Some state agencies may base regulations on studies 
that do not consider the economic impact of recommendations; in the 
case of proposed fishing or boating restrictions, the economic 
impact to coastal communities could be severe; and
	WHEREAS, Ongoing studies of bays and estuaries are under the 
auspices of the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Commission 
on Environmental Quality, and the Texas Water Development Board, 
which shares jurisdiction over freshwater inflows into bays and 
estuaries with the Parks and Wildlife Department; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby direct the Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Commission 
on Environmental Quality, and Texas Water Development Board to 
exclude consideration or promotion of any study or plan that 
recommends restrictions on recreational fishing areas; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature also direct the three 
agencies to require bay and estuary studies to include the economic 
impact to coastal communities with any proposal to restrict fishing 
or boating in those areas; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 
copy of this resolution to the executive directors of the Parks and 
Wildlife Department and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 
and to the executive administrator of the Texas Water Development 
Board.