GENEVA, Switzerland (February 2, 2009) – Oceana released a new report, Healthier Oceans, Healthier Economies, today that shows how the World Trade Organization (WTO) is in a key position to help ensure the long-term viability of the world's fisheries. The report, produced in conjunction with the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), establishes the need and urgency for the WTO to produce a successful agreement in its ongoing fisheries subsidies negotiations.
Today's release coincides with the beginning of a week long meeting of the WTO Negotiating Group on Rules, which includes the fisheries subsidies negotiations. This is the first time that the Rules Group has met since the unsuccessful WTO mini-ministerial meeting in July 2008. The Doha round has moved slowly since then, partially due to elections in some key WTO member countries.
Read the press release in full
Read the actual report in full – Healthier Oceans, Healthier Economies (PDF)