Must top predators be culled for the sake of fisheries?

Abstract

If humankind occupies the ecological role of top predator, then within individual ecosystems it must compete with other top predators for valuable food resources. This notion presents a fascinating ecological problem, with tremendous social and economic ramifications. Because of the socioeconomic dimension, the scientific debate has at times been controversial. The recent attention and data gathering resources focused on the problem present a unique opportunity to test and refine ecological theory in the arena of complex, large-scale systems.