An estimated 1,500 delegates from 80 nations gathered from 2-6 May 2004 in Vancouver, Canada, at the 4th World Fisheries Congress to explore issues focusing on the harmonization of fisheries with conservation, and to promote scientific advice, cooperation and partnership among the world’s fisheries scientists, managers, the fishing industry, and conservation movement.

During the five-day conference, delegates met in Plenary and dialogue sessions to discuss, inter alia: the human and ecological dimensions in achieving the reconciliation of fisheries with conservation; fisheries trade; jurisdictional equity; maintaining biodiversity; aboriginal fisheries; fisheries valuation; aquaculture; ecosystem modeling; marine protected areas; and the international management of shared river systems. One day was dedicated to a forum for the fisheries community to address how industry and environmental organizations can further the objective of reconciling fisheries with conservation, while another public forum examined the seafood ‘sustainable fishery’ certification movement. For more information visit: http://www.worldfisheries2004.org/home.htm