Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory

This chapter provides some context on the overall themes and theory of this volume. Throughout, the theory is applied to relevant problems in fisheries science: impact of fishing on demography, fisheries reference points, evolutionary impact assessments, stock recovery, ecosystem-based fisheries management, and so on, as well as to basic ecological and evolutionary questions. The chapter begins by addressing the motivations for a new theory of fish stocks and fish communities. It also considers what problems such a theory should address and how such a theory can be formulated. From here, the chapter discusses what makes a good theory and the peculiar challenges fish ecology represents.