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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a |
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global problem with serious economic, environmental, and security |
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implications; and |
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WHEREAS, Worldwide, illegal fishing accounts for economic |
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losses of up to $23 billion per year; such activity is largely |
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conducted by foreign fleets at the expense of United States |
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fishermen, coastal communities, and the sustainability of global |
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fish stocks; and |
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WHEREAS, Illegal fishing is of particular consequence in |
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Texas, where the Gulf Coast waters supply seafood for the American |
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public and support the hospitality industry, tourism-related |
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businesses, and vibrant recreational fishing; not only does illegal |
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fishing result in economic losses to the Texas fishing industry and |
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other coastal businesses, but it also threatens the sustainability |
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of our fisheries and the Texas Gulf Coast ecosystem; and |
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WHEREAS, Vessels involved with illegal fishing are |
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associated with other crimes as well, including drug trafficking, |
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human trafficking, and illegal immigration, and the incursion by |
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these foreign fishing vessels into U.S. waters constitutes a |
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violation of our sovereignty; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby express its commitment to |
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the elimination of illegal fishing, to the long-term conservation |
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of Texas marine resources, and to the protection of the Texas Gulf |
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Coast fishing and coastal communities. |