Resolution 330-1983 a
Commissioner Ed Swift
RESOLUTION NO . 330 -1983
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE
INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN ATTEMPTING
TO RESEED THE QUEEN CONCH IN FLORIDA KEYS
WATERS .
WHEREAS , the Commission finds that the natural abundance of
Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) in the waters of the Florida Keys is
far below the level that prevailed in the past , and
WHEREAS , the Monroe County Commission finds that the Queen
Conch is an important part of the heritage of the Florida Keys ,
both for the beauty of its shell and for its excellent meat , and
WHEREAS , the Commission finds that conservation regulations
adopted by the State of Florida have not been effective in
restoring this once-abundant resource to the waters of the
Florida Keys , and
WHEREAS , Monroe County and the Florida Keys is the United
States ' gateway to the Caribbean Basin, and is ideally suited by
virtue of its communication and transportation links , skilled
labor pool, infrastructure, :and proximity to the mainland, to
serve as a base for U. S . assistance to Caribbean Basin states ,
now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows : .
1 . 'That this Commission unanimously supports the -initia-
tive of the Institute for Applied Science, to build an experi-
mental conch hatchery in the Florida Keys to determine whether
hatchery-raised conchs could be used to restore the decimated
conch stocks of the Florida Keys and the entire Caribbean Basin.
2 . That this Commission requests the assistance of Monroe
County' s Legislative and Congressional delegations in bringing
this project to the attention of the appropriate State and
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Federal agencies, and in assisting the Institute in its search
for support .-to, carry this project forward.
3 . That. thi=s -Commission urges the State Marine Fishery
Commission to' consider the effect of imposing a minimum size
limit , - either in addition to or instead of the current quantity
limit , on Queen Conch in State waters , and supports such a size
limit if it would help preserve the existing stocks . The Commis-
sion would also support such a size limit if hatchery-raised
juveniles were to be used to restore the conch fishery throughout
the Florida Keys .
4 . That the Clerk of this Board is hereby directed to
forward certified copies of this resolution to the Institute of
Applied Science, Monroe County' s Legislative and Congressional
delegations , and the State Marine Fishery Commission.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 23rd day of November, A.D . 1983.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
Mayor/Chairman
(Seal)
Attest : DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND AL SUFFICIENCY.
SY
Attorney's Office
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