[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 100 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING WORLD OCEAN DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JENNIFER A. KIGGANS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2024

  Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize 
World Ocean Day, celebrated annually on June 8th. This day offers a 
valuable opportunity to celebrate our oceans, which are not only a 
source of immense beauty and wonder but also a vital component of our 
U.S. economy. As we commemorate this day, I want to emphasize the 
significance of fishing communities and the necessity of maintaining 
abundant ocean resources. They are integral to the economic health and 
sustainability of fishing communities and our Nation.
  The fishing and seafood industries plays a significant role in our 
economy at home in Virginia. In 2022, the Commonwealth of Virginia had 
28,729 jobs in the U.S. Seafood Industry, according to the Fisheries 
Economics of the United States 2022 Report by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration. These jobs resulted in $851,594 in income 
for Virginians and $3,519,973 in sales, inserting millions of dollars 
back into our communities.
  Fishing communities look different across the United States, but they 
all depend on healthy ocean ecosystems for their livelihoods. These 
communities form the backbone of coastal economies, and thriving 
fisheries help them provide jobs, protect food security, and secure 
cultural heritage and recreational opportunities for all Americans. The 
economic impact of the fishing industry is substantial, contributing 
billions of dollars to the national economy and supporting countless 
families and businesses.
  However, fishing communities face unprecedented challenges on many 
fronts. Pollution and other environmental challenges threaten the 
health of marine ecosystems and the sustainability of fish stocks, 
which in turn directly impacts fishing communities and jeopardizes 
their way of life and economic stability. At the same time, coastal 
development and the loss of working waterfronts are also making it more 
difficult for fishing communities to survive.
  To secure the future of our fishing communities and the economic 
vitality of our oceans, we must prioritize fishing communities and the 
sustainable fisheries that support them. This includes:
  Sustainable Fishing Practices: Implementing management efforts that 
prevent overfishing and promote the rebuilding of fish populations.
  Habitat Protection: Safeguarding critical marine habitats, such as 
coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, which support a diverse 
range of marine life, including fish.
  Pollution Reduction: Addressing sources of ocean pollution, including 
plastic waste and chemical runoff, to protect marine ecosystems and the 
species that inhabit them.
  Adaptability to change: Enhancing the resilience of fisheries and 
coastal communities through adaptive management strategies.
  Resilient fishing communities: Preserving working waterfronts and 
improving the ability for fisheries to avoid and recover from 
disasters.
  In recognition of this year's World Ocean Day, let us reaffirm our 
commitment to safeguarding our oceans and the communities that depend 
on them. By working together to conserve marine ecosystems and achieve 
sustainable fisheries, we can secure a brighter future for our fishing 
communities and for generations to come.

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