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Cover image of Tunas and Billfishes of the World
Cover image of Tunas and Billfishes of the World
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Tunas and Billfishes of the World

Bruce Collette and John Graves
illustrated by Val Kells

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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...

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.

Reviews

Reviews

Sport Fishing's Fish Facts expert on pelagic species, John Graves, has co-authored—with Bruce Collette—a new and definitive resource, Tunas and Billfishes of the World. With impressively detailed, precise color illustrations by Val Kells, the 352-page volume describes 61 species of mackerels, tunas, swordfish, sailfishes and marlins. The book is certain to become an essential addition to the library of any angler who is serious about bluewater gamefish.

The definitive guide to the most important group of game (and food) fishes around the planet by two of the world's leading authorities—an essential reference for serious saltwater anglers.

The first comprehensive guide this decade to describe these highly migratory and very valuable open-ocean species. The book is beautifully illustrated by Val Kells."

The dichotomous keys and illustrated field marking and diagnostic character notes will serve as the gold standard for identification of species for decades to come. The additional information on each species' biology, fisheries importance, and conservation status make this superbly illustrated guide a vital reference for ichthyologists, fisheries biologists, conservation biologists, and fisherpeople.

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About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
8
x
10
Pages
352
ISBN
9781421431574
Illustration Description
241 color illus., 61 maps
Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Organization
Anatomy and Measurements
Key to Species
Family Scombridae
Family Xiphiidae
Family Istiophoridae
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
Select Bibliography
Index

Author Bios
Featured Contributor

Bruce Collette

Bruce Collette is a research associate with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the chair of the Tuna and Billfish Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. He is the coauthor of several books, including Fishes: The Animal Answer Guide. He is the winner of the Joseph S. Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in Ichthyology.
Featured Contributor

John Graves

John Graves is the Chancellor Professor of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
Valerie A. Kells
Featured Contributor

Valerie A. Kells

Val Kells (KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC) is an award-winning marine science illustrator. She is the coauthor and illustrator of A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes: From Maine to Texas and A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes: From Alaska to California.
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