The definitive resource on tunas and billfishes from the world's top
authorities.
Tunas and billfishes are peak predators of the oceans. Admired by
scientists and naturalists for their speed, grace, unique physiology,
and diversity, they are important both ecologically and
socioeconomically. Vital sources of food and income for many maritime
nations, whose fleets of vessels target them with huge purse seines or
miles-long lines, these exhilarating fishes are also highly desired and
avidly sought by big game fishers across the globe.
In Tunas and Billfishes of the World, Bruce Collette, a leading marine
ichthyologist and conservationist, and John Graves, an expert on the
biology, fisheries, and management of tunas and billfishes, focus on
three families of fishes: Scombridae, the mackerels and tunas;
Istiophoridae, sailfish and marlins; and Xiphiidae, the Swordfish. Over
the course of 61 in-depth species accounts, Collette and Graves
- describe what each species looks like and where it lives
- include detailed summaries of the fishes' biology--size, food,
habitat, reproduction, and early life history
- offer current information about fisheries interests and conservation
status
- provide up-to-date evaluations of the threat status for each species
Accompanied by full-color, scientifically accurate illustrations by
renowned illustrator Val Kells, along with range maps for each species,
this spectacular volume is the essential book on these majestic
inhabitants of the sea. Destined to quickly become the standard
reference for scientists, students, and naturalists, Tunas and
Billfishes of the World will also be prized by all fishers who pursue
these species.
