The Value of Trophic Ecology in Fisheries

Trophic ecology has had an important history in fisheries science.  Numerous policies around the globe are calling for an ecosystem approach to fisheries, with some international polices explicitly requesting trophic indicators for management use. Central to these is the use of fish trophic ecology information, such that fish food habits data have increasingly significant utility in a fisheries science and management context.  Here some of the main applications of fish trophic data are noted, including: understanding key facets of fish biology, informing life history features, providing context for management, estimating predatory mortality, or using in stock and ecosystem assessment models.  The need for routine, operational food habits sampling is noted, as is the need to explore novel technologies and methodologies for evaluating trophic ecology of fishes.  Future “gutshops”, and an associated reinvigoration of fish community ecologists towards applied and operational ends, is highlighted by concluding with a call for the next generation of fish trophic ecology information.