The emerging synthesis of evolution with ecology in fisheries science

Abstract

Fisheries science is currently being transformed through a true integration of ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Many questions are emerging from the recognition that human-induced evolutionary change can elicit ecological change on short time scales, in some cases equal to or exceeding the changes brought on by classical ecological effects. For instance, to what extent does evolutionary change associated with size-selective harvesting, supplementation, captive breeding, aquaculture escapees, and related fisheries activities directly or indirectly affect species demography (persistence, productivity, or recovery), community structure, and ecosystem functioning? Under what conditions do feedbacks between evolution and ecology matter most for managing fisheries activities? Do such feedbacks generate predictable outcomes, and are they reversible? Although as yet, little consensus has been reached on the answers to these questions, it is clear that a synthesis of evolutionary and ecological perspectives holds great promise for improving and generating more biologically realistic modeling, monitoring, rebuilding, and management of fish populations, fish species, and aquatic ecosystems.