Seafood.com: Industry Reacts to President-Elect Joe Biden’s Commerce Secretary Pick

Industry Reacts to President-Elect Joe Biden’s Commerce Secretary Pick

Governor Gina Raimondo (D-RI). Photo courtesy of CNN.

January 8, 2021

On Thursday news broke that Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo would be nominated to lead the Commerce Department.

“Rhode Island may be small, but our economy is mighty on the strength of our small businesses and innovative technologies,” Raimondo tweeted. “As Secretary of Commerce, I will harness that same American ingenuity to create good-paying union jobs and build our economy back better than ever before.”

The National Fisheries Institute and the Seafood Harvesters of America released statements following news of Raimondo’s nomination as Commerce Secretary.

“Gov. Gina Raimondo is an innovator who understands the vital balance between resource management and the needs of the business community,” said John Connelly, President of the National Fisheries Institute. “We are encouraged that President-elect Biden has chosen a policy maker from a coastal state, who knows the importance of harvesting and the full seafood supply chain, for this leadership position. We look forward to working with her to ensure the continued sustainability of America’s fisheries and the entire seafood value chain.”

“We are pleased to see the Biden Administration continue the important work of cabinet nominations, including the recent nomination of Governor Gina Raimondo for Commerce Secretary,” said Leigh Habegger, Executive Director of the Seafood Harvesters of America. “In light of the increasing number of proposed actions in our federal waters, we sincerely hope Governor Raimondo’s experience working with the commercial fishing industry in Rhode Island will guide her in ensuring our businesses continue to thrive. In particular, her leadership on the Special Area Management Plan will be useful as the Commerce Department navigates ambitious offshore wind goals. We look forward to her swift confirmation and working with Ms. Raimondo and the table during these, and other fisheries management discussions.”

“It is my sincere hope that Governor Raimondo carries with her the experiences and lessons learned from her time in Rhode Island,” added Christopher Brown, founding President of Seafood Harvesters of America and commercial fisherman in Rhode Island. “As the possible Commerce Secretary, she will have to find a harmonious existence for both the fishing industry and the offshore wind industry. Hopefully her time in Rhode Island has granted her the wisdom to make sound choices to ensure the delivery of both. I hope that the commercial industry doesn’t become collateral damage of greater blind ambition.”

Amanda Buckle

Urner Barry

1-732-240-5330

abuckle@urnerbarry.com