Oceana Congratulates Rob Portman on OMB Appointment | Oceana

Oceana Congratulates Rob Portman on OMB Appointment

Press Release Date: October 2, 2009

Location: Washington

Contact:

Anna Baxter | email: abaxter@oceana.org
Anna Baxter

Oceana today expressed its appreciation to outgoing United States Trade Representative Rob Portman for his commitment to advancing the fisheries subsidies negotiations taking place in the World Trade Organization and said it is hopeful that Susan Schwab, nominated as his successor, will continue to work closely with the conservation community on these vital talks.    

Statement of Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless  

Oceana is appreciative of Ambassador Portman’s openness and support of the fisheries subsidies negotiations taking place as part of the World Trade Organization’s Doha round.  His leadership has advanced these talks on what we view is the largest single action that can be taken to ensure productive and abundant ocean fisheries.  He has welcomed us into his office for discussions and we are grateful for his understanding of how the multilateral trading system can address the interests of conservation, commerce, and development.     We look forward to a continued relationship with Mr. Portman in his new role as director of the Office of Management and Budget.  We also congratulate Susan Schwab, President Bush’s nominee to be the new United States Trade Representative.  She has worked side-by-side with Ambassador Portman in her former role as Deputy USTR and we look forward to  continued leadership to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies.     Mr. Sharpless is also chairman of the Fisheries Subsidies Task Force, which was created specifically to examine the subsidies issue and provide policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative .