This paper provides a global review of the emergence of the rebuilding paradigm, its key concepts, the trends in fishery resources, and the empirical evidence available on stock depletion, collapse and rebuilding. It addresses the bio-ecological, economic, and human dimensions of rebuilding or restoration of stocks, multispecies assemblages and habitats/ecosystems, and touches on the need for rebuilding at the whole sector level when depletion has become widespread and chronic. Governance issues are also addressed, including legal and policy frameworks, and rationale and objectives of a rebuilding regime.