The failure to understand fundamental economic issues lies at the core of problems with fishery policy and practice. Fishery policy is high-level strategic direction; fishery practice is the implementation of policy. Economics education and outreach can strengthen fishery policy and practice, but they are underutilized as an avenue of influence. The position of economics in fisheries can be understood as a value chain, in which a sequence of activities gives economic information greater added value than the sum the individual activities. The value chain is weakened by the inadequacy of data and by the delivery of education and outreach at levels insufficient to robustly affect policy and management actions. The three primary reasons for this weakness are inadequate investment, unappealing language, and limited exposure. I give examples of policy areas that would benefit from stronger education and outreach and discuss the benefits and costs of participating in these activities.

JEL Classification Code: Q2