Contrasting the Evolutionary Pathways of Small‐ and Large‐Scale Fishing

Fishing‐induced evolution (FIE) has emerged as a key concern in fisheries science, yet it remains unclear how different fishing sectors contribute to evolutionary change. Here we examine how large‐scale fisheries (LSF) and small‐scale fisheries (SSF) may differ in the pathways through which fishing mortality becomes trait‐dependent in fish populations. We synthesise how fishery characteristics—including fishing intensity, spatial and temporal targeting, gear diversity, technological capacity, target breadth and governance structures—may influence the timing, consistency and targets of selection, thereby shaping evolutionary outcomes. We suggest that SSF may generate more heterogeneous selection regimes, acting on individual variation in behavioural, ecological and vulnerability‐related traits through partial harvesting, diverse gear use and localised fishing practices. In contrast, LSF may generate consistent patterns of trait‐dependent mortality because of operational scale, greater catch capacity, advanced technologies and standardised management frameworks. These differences do not necessarily imply stronger or weaker overall selection, but suggest that SSF and LSF may differ in the mechanisms through which phenotypes become exposed to fishing mortality and the traits most likely to be affected. Differences in target specificity, bycatch and discard practices may also contribute to divergent evolutionary pathways between sectors. While high mortality remains an important driver of life‐history evolution, sector‐specific mechanisms may shape trait trajectories, including behaviour, growth, habitat use and migration. We highlight key knowledge gaps and emphasise the need to integrate evolutionary perspectives into both LSF and SSF management, especially given technological advancement and potential future regulation and standardisation of SSF practices.