MARVIN MANDEL,

Governor

3833

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning

Seafood Industry of Maryland

FOR the purpose of conducting a study of the Seafood
Industry of Maryland to develop recommendations for
improving production, harvesting, processing and
marketing of Maryland Seafood.

WHEREAS, The seafood industry is a   major industry in

Maryland employing an estimated 25,000   Maryland citizens

and annually contributing $80,000,000     to the Maryland
economy; and

WHEREAS, The Seafood Marketing Authority of the

Department of Economic and Community Development is

responsible for promoting optimum utilization of the

State's seafood resources; to develop better methods or

techniques which will reduce the cost, improve the

quality and expand the market and profitability of the

industry as well as increase employment and improve the
quality of the area; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Natural Resources is
responsible for the preservation, enhancement,
development and use of all fishery resources in Maryland
including harvesting and management of resources from the
Chesapeake Bay; and

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland annually appropriates
general funds in support of the seafood industry; and

WHEREAS, There is no method available to assess the
relationship between general funds expended in support of
the marketing of seafood products and the real
productivity of the seafood industry; and

WHEREAS, The inability to develop cause and effect
relationships between marketing and productivity limits
informed decisions on the most effective means of
marketing seafood and further enhancing the seafood
industry; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
the Governor appoint a Commission to undertake a
comprehensive study of the seafood industry in Maryland.
The Commission shall be comprised of 9 members, one
member of which shall be designated Chairman, 3 members
of the Maryland Senate, 3 members of the Maryland House
of Delegates and 3 representatives of the public at
large. Commission members shall serve without
compensation, except for reimbursement of reasonable
business expenses as provided for in the State budget;
and be it further