PROCEEDINGS OF THE FOuRTH INTERNaTIONal FISHERS FORum

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A Message from the
Conference Hosts and Sponsors
A warm greeting to all the organizations whose contribution have made the Fourth International Fishers Forum, in
Puntarenas, Costa Rica, possible and to all of you who have come from more than 40 countries to participate in this event.
We are pleased to bring the forum to Latin America to unite fishermen, scientists, fishery managers, researchers, gear
manufacturers and wildlife conservation advocates. The forum will continue to discuss the state of longline and other
fisheries and the impact of their incidental captures. Sessions will focus on sustainable fishery practices and approaches
to minimize problematic interactions with sea turtles, seabirds, sharks and cetaceans. It is important that fishermen gather
among themselves and with others to exchange ideas and respond to these issues.
We greatly appreciate the time you have taken from your busy schedules to come to Costa Rica to participate in this
conference to pursue solutions that ensure our fisheries are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner.
Kitty M. Simonds
Carlos Villalobos Solé
A Message from the Conference Hosts and Sponsors
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