Saving Our Oceans One Entrée at a Time

Scientists and conservation groups aren’t the only people
who can preserve our oceans — consumers can make ocean-friendly
seafood choices.

This year’s World Fisheries Congress in Vancouver, May 2-6,
will feature a forum on the Seafood Choices Movement to examine
the growing role of consumers and the private sector in ocean
conservation. Panelists will also discuss what the industry
and fishing communities can do to take advantage of this movement.

"It’s been evident for a long time that the business-as-usual
approach to managing our seafood supply is not sustainable,"
says Michael Sutton, keynote speaker of the forum and program
officer of the U.S.-based David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
"So we’re working to find other ways to protect marine
life that also ensure fishing and aquaculture are gainful
livelihoods. The health of the oceans and health of our economy
are fundamentally intertwined."

Representatives from the restaurant industry, the fishing
industry and ocean conservation and local fishing communities
the will take part in this forum.

Other topics such as the market-based strategies being employed
by the conservation community, building business-environment
partnerships and the role aquaculture can play in providing
environmentally responsible and healthy choices will be presented.

For more information on the Fourth World Fisheries Congress
visit www.worldfisheries2004.org.

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