Marine and aquatic resources are diminishing dangerously due to many factors, such as overfishing, pollution and global warming. This depletion is of particular concern in southern countries, where fish, a source of revenue for millions of people, is of major importance in terms of food security (approximately one billion people on a world-wide scale are dependent on fish as the principal source of animal protein in their diet). Although the oceans were considered inexhaustible in the last century, many fisheries today show signs of decline. Locally as well as globally, the same conclusion has been drawn: the world’s fisheries seem to have reached their maximum potential.

In this context, scientific research has an essential role to play, especially that there are still many gaps in knowledge in this area, as it is only recently that research efforts have focused on the functioning of marine ecosystems as a whole. Fisheries clearly have a strong impact on targeted species. However, their direct and indirect effects on other components of the marine ecosystem should not be ignored, as the health of the entire ecosystem is potentially affected by fishing activities. There is an urgent need to implement management techniques that take into account the impact of fisheries on the whole ecosystem. Current fisheries practices, too often based on short-term policies with a view to economic profitability are threatening the long term sustainability of marine resources and ecosystems, but also the middle term future of the fisheries sector.