[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10430]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CAPITOL HILL OCEAN WEEK AND OCEAN PROTECTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2014

  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of smart and 
sustainable management of our country's oceans and fishery systems. 
America's ocean resources are an important part of our economy and 
environment and we must work to protect and maintain them.
  The seafood industry plays a crucial role in communities across our 
nation. For example, the Mid-Atlantic region's seafood industry has 
generated over 137,000 jobs, $18 billion in sales, and $4 billion in 
income. More sales impacts were generated by importers in New Jersey 
than any other sector in any other state in the region at $5.5 billion. 
Employment impacts in New Jersey were the highest in the region with 
over 13,000 full- and part-time jobs generated by recreational fishing 
activities in the state.
  As researchers, fisheries, and various ocean experts visit Capitol 
Hill in honor of Capitol Hill Ocean Week we are reminded of the great 
benefit strong ocean management laws play in our environment and 
economy. These policies are necessary to protect our oceans from being 
overfished and putting various species in danger. With a future full of 
new and daunting challenges for our fishermen and coastal communities, 
now is the time we must act to maintain effective ocean management 
policies.

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