Most uses of computers in fisheries science can be categorized as: (1) data tabulation, processing, and analysis; (2) automated and semi-automated monitoring systems; (3) educational, especially at the university level; (4) simulation to evaluate management strategies; (5) simulation to learn basic system properties, especially ecological interrelationships; or (6) facilitation of numerical analysis. A problem in renewable natural resource management is determining when and how the use of computer technology is warranted.