Reply to Enberg and Jørgensen: Ecology and evolution both matter for explaining stock dynamics

Enberg and Jorgensen (1) state that the “conclusion that fishing-induced evolution is negligible follows from model assumptions”. First, it goes without saying that results of model-based studies all follow from model assumptions. Second, we conclude that evolution has not been negligible (2). In fact, fisheries-induced evolution appears to have been required to prevent stock collapse. Furthermore, it is the interactions between ecological and evolutionary dynamics that are critical for explaining observed trends in Northeast Arctic (NEA) cod. Below, we address Enberg and Jorgensen’s other points in turn.