HARTFORD–It’s official: national lobster day is an official holiday.

On Friday, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to honor the shellfish on September 25, 2015.

The resolution was intended to recognize the economic and historic importance of lobsters in the United States, but it hits home here in Connecticut and New England. In fact, the co-sponsors of the bill were all from New England: U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut; Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut; Angus King, I-Maine; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire; Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire; Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island; and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island.

Earlier this summer the Connecticut senators took another step towards recognizing the importance other shellfish industry in Connecticut. They introduced the “Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act” to get more federal funding to revive the Long Island Sound.

Blumenthal and Murphy released a statement on why this day is so important for the state’s future:

The lobster industry has made remarkable contributions to Connecticut’s history, culture and economy, bringing shellfish enthusiasts in from across the country and generating millions of dollars for the state annually. But the reality is that our lobster stocks are declining rapidly due to poor environmental conditions in Long Island Sound, and Connecticut fisherman and businesses are suffering because of it. For the millions of people who rely on the lobster season for work and enjoyment each year, let’s make “National Lobster Day” about improving the health of the Sound and the critical lobster industry it supports.