Senators Green, Schuitmaker, MacGregor, Emmons, Booher, Hildenbrand, Pavlov, Proos, Kowall, Jones, Zorn, Colbeck, Horn, Hansen, Robertson, Meekhof, Rocca, Brandenburg, Knollenberg, Stamas and Schmidt offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 118.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that provides the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and regional management councils additional tools to manage our nation's important saltwater recreational fisheries.

            Whereas, U.S. saltwater fisheries are among the world's largest and most sustainable, providing significant economic impact across the nation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and regional management councils set catch limits, ensure compliance with fisheries regulations, and reduce unintended catches to provide continued economic and recreational opportunities; and

            Whereas, Inaccurate and inconsistent data used to make decisions concerning saltwater fishing stocks, as well as a one-size-fits-all management approach, have led to curtailed recreational fishing opportunities, frustrating recreational anglers and adversely impacting Michigan companies that manufacture recreational fisheries products. Michigan is home to several boat and fishing tackle manufacturers who sell their products nationwide. These companies employ thousands of skilled workers, having a substantial impact on Michigan's economy; and

            Whereas, Improved data collection and implementing management tools more suitable for recreational fisheries will enhance public access to fish and continue to conserve our saltwater fisheries resources. Not only will recreational anglers benefit, but also thousands of fishing-related businesses that depend on reasonable angler access to healthy saltwater fisheries. The Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017, S. 1520, would update federal fisheries management for recreational angling by allowing alternative management techniques, improve data collection, ensure periodic review of allocations in important mixed-use fisheries, and continue to rebuild overfished stocks, among other benefits, to anglers and the nation; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that provides the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and regional management councils additional tools to effectively and appropriately manage our nation's important saltwater recreational fisheries; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.