Fisheries science is the academic element that is explored when managing and understanding fisheries. Fisheries science is consists of multiple scientific disciplines, which concentrate on the areas of marine biology, aquaculture, marine conservation, population and fish farming, economics and management in an effort to deliver a cohesive representation of fisheries. In some circumstances new areas of exploration have arisen, for instances bio economics. These are all explored under the term fisheries science and help in understanding and devising better ways to control management and conservation of the fishing industry. Many organisations are dedicated and have excellent expertise in fisheries management and the science that is involved.

The study of fisheries science and fish management helps in researching and obtaining critical information that agencies and organisations can utilise accordingly in areas such as conservation and in gaining valuable knowledge of the fishing industry itself. It is a branch of aquatic science that deals with researching the life history and the condition of fish stocks. Life history refers to the overall ecology of a fish stock, like the areas of reproduction and growth rate etc.

The information gained is a crucial factor which is taken into consideration in any related decision making processes. Fisheries science and the social, economic and political concerns all influence the final management decision on anything to do with fish stock or elements of the fishing industry like fish farming for instance. Fish farming comprises of breeding fish commercially within tanks or more commonly bounded areas, mainly because of the high consumer demand of the modern day. Species raised by fish farms commonly include fish such as carp, salmon, sea bass and cod. These particular species are often subject to in-depth research in order to manage their populations. Swelling demands on wild fisheries by fishing operations fuelled by high consumer demands have caused extensive overfishing.

Fisheries science is adapting at a quick rate and has branched out to include researching impacts of fishing on other mammals and in particular seabirds and the ecosystem. The science behind it is now concerned with providing advice on fisheries in its full capacity rather than solely just researching fish stock itself. Agencies and society are becoming more widely concerned about issues related to conservation and are asking new questions about the organisation and usage of oceans. Relevant research must react by providing the science to respond to any questions in relation to marine conservation. The need for management, researchers and the industry itself to continue to work together and resolve any issues or devise new strategies within this area is fundamental.