Assembly Resolution No. 998

BY: M. of A. Rules (Giglio JA)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 21, 2022, as World Fish Migration Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
environmental issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York
State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 21, 2022, as World
Fish Migration Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, World Fish Migration Day (WFMD) culminates every two years
in a global celebration to create awareness about the importance of
migratory fish and free-flowing rivers; this international day of events
is coordinated by the World Fish Migration Foundation; and

WHEREAS, On World Fish Migration Day, organizations from around the
world coordinate their own event around the common theme of Connecting
Fish, Rivers and People; this year's focus after years of a global
pandemic and lockdown is "Breaking Free"; and

WHEREAS, With millions of man-made barriers littering the world's
waterways, migratory fish want to break free too; on May 21, 2022, we
will celebrate the hundreds of dam removals executed and planned in
recent years, and encourage fish heroes far and wide to advocate for
free-flowing rivers, the removal of barriers, and the return of rivers
full of fish; and

WHEREAS, Migratory fish travel throughout rivers to fulfil their
life cycles, some swimming more than 10,000 kilometers; they navigate
using the currents and magnetic fields, as well as their sense of taste
and smell; and

WHEREAS, Billions of people around the world depend on fish for
food, sport, research and intrigue; however, many migratory fish species
are critically endangered or threatened; the main causes are man-made
barriers which disrupt the natural flow of rivers and prevent their
usual migratory routes; and

WHEREAS, Many fish need to migrate to reproduce, feed and complete
their life cycles; migratory fish are a crucial link in the food chain
and play an important role in creating healthy and productive river
systems; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, they provide an important food supply and
livelihood for millions of people around the world; and

WHEREAS, Fish are ecologically, culturally, economically, and
recreationally important, and we must ensure the survival of these
species for generations to come by bringing awareness about the plight

of migratory fishes; each and every event hosted for World Fish
Migration Day helps to shine light on the issues and brings us one step
closer to helping our rivers and fish Break Free; and

WHEREAS, The main goal of World Fish Migration Day is raising
awareness for migratory fish and the rivers they rely on; creating
awareness is an essential first step to make real change; and

WHEREAS, World Fish Migration Day seeks to improve the public's
understanding of the importance of migratory fish and how we can reduce
our impact on them; by taking action, we are creating sustainable
commitments from NGOs, governments and industry on safeguarding
free-flowing rivers and restoring swimways for migratory fish; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious environmental issue, and more must be done to increase
activity at the local, state, national and international levels; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 21, 2022, as World
Fish Migration Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the World Fish Migration Foundation; and The Honorable
Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.