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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 is a threat to the |
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sustainability of our fisheries and to the Texas Gulf Coast |
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ecosystem; and |
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WHEREAS, Vessels involved with illegal fishing are also |
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associated with other crimes, including drug trafficking, human |
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trafficking, and illegal immigration, and the incursion by these |
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foreign fishing vessels into U.S. waters constitutes a violation of |
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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 hereby express its commitment to the elimination of |
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illegal fishing, to the long-term conservation of Texas marine |
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resources, and to the protection of the Texas Gulf Coast fishing and |
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coastal communities. |