The High-Dimensional Future of Fishery Science

Classical physics describes the universe in four dimensions: three for space and one for time. Modern theories propose additional hidden dimensions, too tightly curled up to be measured with current technology. Similarly, fisheries ecology considers dimensions associated with fish species, their genetic structure, prey organisms, the physical environment, and other factors. Many ecological dimensions effectively remain hidden because they are too numerous to explore systematically. For example, fishery models often apply simple biological assumptions to summary population data. As the planet undergoes regime changes, partly due to human activity, familiar patterns from the past may fail to recur. New regimes move ecological systems into unfamiliar regions within the high-dimensional space of possibilities. Similarly, human perceptions extend to new dimensions with modern technologies, such as satellite cameras, robotic floats, genetic microarrays, and high-performance computers. We look to a future with serious environmental issues and advanced technologies for addressing them. Scientific progress requires a deeper understanding of high-dimensional ecosystems, along with communication that stimulates human populations to take appropriate actions.