The purpose of this monograph is to identify those areas of traditional fisheries research which have the greatest potential for contributing to the solution of problems facing traditional fishermen and their communities. After tracing the changing emphasis of past development programs, the paper discusses alternative development strategies, analyzes the relevant theoretical predictions and research issues associated with each, and concludes that long-term solutions to problems of low standards of living lie in reducing rather than in increasing fishing effort. The following four research areas are suggested: (1) assessment of stocks and estimation of maximum sustainable yields; (2) development of management tools and programs appropriate for limiting fishing effort in the multispeciesfisheries exploited by traditional and industrial fishermen; (3) reduction of waste in the distribution system; and (4) development of alternative or supplementary income sources for traditional fishermen.