MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hewes, Woodfield, Cuevas, Gollott, Moffatt, Robertson

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE GULF STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION ON ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND ENCOURAGING THE COMMISSION TO CONTINUE ITS TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE.

WHEREAS, the living natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico are important to the citizenry of all states in the Gulf region including Mississippi and the nation as a whole; and

WHEREAS, the physical location of the Office of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and all of its employees are in Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, most anadromous, estuarine and marine living resources are nomadic or migratory during some parts of their life histories; and

WHEREAS, the publication entitled "To Stem the Tide" recommends that "fish stocks should be managed as an entity rather than differently in each jurisdiction in which they occur or through which they may pass"; and

WHEREAS, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission was established "...to promote the better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of the seaboard of the Gulf of Mexico, by the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause"; and

WHEREAS, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission was established through legislation from each member state and authorized by the United States Congress in Public Law 81-66 in 1949; and

WHEREAS, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission has been providing a valuable service to its member states and to the nation as a whole, by facilitating interagency, interdisciplinary and interjurisdictional communication; by developing and managing interjurisdictional fisheries management program; and by seeking support for important marine fisheries initiatives, both at the state and federal levels for 50 years; and

WHEREAS, the strength and effectiveness of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission has grown and improved over its 50 years of existence; and

WHEREAS, the future is positive for the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to continue its tradition of excellence into the future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we commend the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary Meeting held in Biloxi, Mississippi during October 18-22, 1999, and on its mission and accomplishments over the last 50 years; and encourage the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to continue its tradition of excellence in facilitating communication and managing interjurisdictional fisheries programs into the future.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.