SJR47 Summary

• Urges Congress to take action against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in U.S. sovereign waters, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico

• States illegal fishing causes economic losses of up to billions of dollars annually, largely conducted by foreign fleets that harm U.S. fishermen, coastal communities, and fish stock sustainability

• Notes illegal fishermen in the Gulf disregard state and federal catch limits, indiscriminately kill protected marine species including marine mammals and sea turtles using illegal long-line netting, and flood U.S. markets with cheap illegally caught fish

• Identifies foreign fishing vessels engaged in illegal activity as also being associated with drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal immigration, constituting violations of U.S. sovereignty

• Directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Alabama Congressional Delegation expressing the state's commitment to eliminating illegal fishing and protecting Alabama's Gulf Coast fishing communities and marine resources