WASHINGTON, DC – Any day is a great day to enjoy lobster, but this fall there will be added incentive to crack into New England’s most famous crustacean: the U.S. Senate today unanimously approved a resolution designating Friday, September 25, 2015 as “National Lobster Day.”  The resolution, cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and five New England colleagues, recognizes the historic and economic importance of the lobster industry to Rhode Island and other states, and invites lobster lovers to mark their culinary calendars for the last Friday in September.

“Lobstering is a very physical, labor-intensive profession.  The success of our local lobstermen and women goes beyond the economic activity they generate.  These businesses are unique and irreplaceable.  For generations, their hard work, resiliency, and dedication have been a vital part of our coastal communities.  As consumer demand for sustainably harvested, wild-caught New England lobsters continues to grow, ‘National Lobster Day’ offers an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate an industry that supports hundreds of Rhode Island families and helps bring tourists to the area to enjoy delicious, freshly caught lobster and seafood,” said Senator Reed.

“‘Lobstah’ is a New England tradition,” said Whitehouse.  “For generations, our state’s multimillion dollar lobster industry has been an important source of jobs, and it continues to supply locals and tourists with fresh, delicious seafood to enjoy any day of the year.  ‘National Lobster Day’ is a great way for all Americans to celebrate this vital Rhode Island industry, and enjoy doing it!”

Reed and Whitehouse were joined in introducing the bipartisan resolution by fellow New Englanders and U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Chris Murphy (D-CT).

According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), lobster typically ranks as Rhode Island's second most valuable commercial fishery, behind squid.  Lobster landings in Rhode Island in 2013 totaled 2.1 million pounds for a value of $9.7 million.  And as Rhode Island-landed lobster are processed and move into the wholesale and retail markets, the total value of the fishery increases substantially – likely approaching $28 million – making it a crucial part of the state's economy.

Nationally, more than 120 million pounds of lobster are caught each year in U.S. waters, representing one of the country’s most valuable catches.

According to lobster experts, after this year’s extremely cold winter in the Northeast, slow-to-warm ocean temperatures are delaying when many lobsters molt, or shed their shells to grow, and is therefore delaying this year’s peak lobster catch off the coast of New England.

Senators Reed and Whitehouse have made support for the Rhode Island lobster fishing industry a priority in Congress.  Last month, the Senators announced $475,000 in federal funds to support research projects aimed at improving the sustainability of local fisheries.  The funding will allow the Rhode Island-based Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) to continue its successful “On-Deck Data Program.”  Comprised of 14 fishing vessels, this program allows local lobstermen to use tablet computers and electronic calipers to collect and transmit real time data on their catch and share it with researchers and state and federal officials studying the lobster and Jonah crab populations in Narragansett Bay and the southern Gulf of Maine to Hudson Canyon.  The data collected will help to develop a management plan for the fishery before it becomes overexploited.  Senator Reed helped secure $190,000 in federal funding for the same program in 2014.

The “National Lobster Day” resolution is attached, and the full text is available below:

RESOLUTION

Designating September 25, 2015, as ‘‘National Lobster Day’’.

Whereas lobster from the United States is recognized around the world as a prized culinary delicacy;

Whereas lobster fishing has served as an economic engine and a family tradition in the United States for centuries;

Whereas thousands of families in the United States make their livelihoods from lobster fishing and processing;

Whereas more than 120,000,000 pounds of lobster are caught each year in waters of the United States, representing one of the Nation’s most valuable catches;

Whereas the lobster industry is booming abroad, with profits climbing from $335,800,000 in 2009 to $738,600,000 in 2014;

Whereas historical lore notes that lobster likely joined turkey on the table at the very first Thanksgiving Day feast in 1621;

Whereas responsible lobstering practices, beginning in the 1600s, have created one of the world’s most sustainable fisheries;

Whereas Lobster Newburg was featured on the menu at the inaugural dinner celebration for President John F. Kennedy;

Whereas lobsters are one of the most healthy and nutritious sources of protein;

Whereas the peak of the lobstering season in the United States occurs in the late summer;

Whereas lobster has become a culinary icon, with the lobster roll being featured at the 2015 World Food Expo in Milan, Italy;

Whereas lobster is featured on more and more restaurant menus, growing by 35 percent from 2009 to 2013; Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates September 25, 2015, as ‘‘National Lobster Day’’; and

(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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