Biology of Fishes

This book, the first edition of which was published in 1982, has been largely rewritten with many new figures, to take account of recent information resulting from the huge rate of publication of scientific papers and books on fishes. As an example, the continuing series "Fish Physiology" (Academic Press) has just reached its 12th volume, covering in two parts only the cardio-vascular systems of fishes. The original authors, Q. Bone and N.B. Marshall, invited J.H.S. Blaxter to help widen the expertise on fish reproduction, behaviour and exploita­ tion, leading to new chapters on behaviour, fisheries and aquaculture. A chapter on endocrines has been added and earlier chapters have been brought up-to-date. We have chosen those topics which seem to us to be most useful and interesting, inevitably reflecting our own fields of interest. We have, however, tried to make the bibliography sufficiently wide­ ranging for the reader to find an introduction to those topics not covered, and to be able to enjoy further forays into those that are. Fish are the most varied and abundant of vertebrates and the commercial and sport fisheries are of great economic importance. Fish stocks are not vulnerable to drought, as are so many terrestrial sources of protein, but they are highly vulnerable to pollution and overfishing. At least 80% of fish are caught by hunting and this proportion is unlikely to fall; many stocks are shared and lead to political decision-making about management.