Introduction

• detect and identify mechanisms of large-scale and long-term change in biodiversity of fish and other exploited species (e. g., scallops, lobsters)
• predict consequences of changes in biodiversity of fish and other exploited communities on ecosystem functioning and human societies

Questions that we will address are:

• What was lost in the past and what may be lost in the future? – species, populations, genes, alleles, fishermen, fishing-dependent communities?
• Why did changes in biodiversity occur and how can we prevent further losses?
• Do changes in fish biodiversity affect ecosystem functioning and the supply of ecosystem services?
• What are the consequences of actions to prevent losses?
• What are the costs (social, political, financial, etc.) to prevent further losses and the benefits of preventive action?