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Tunas and billfishes are apex 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-colour, 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.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Organization
Anatomy and Measurements
Key to Species
Family Scombridae
Family Xiphiidae
Family Istiophoridae
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
Select Bibliography
Index
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. John Graves is the Chancellor Professor of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Val Kells is a widely recognized marine science illustrator. She is a 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 and illustrator of Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia.
"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."
– Doug Olander, Editor-in-Chief, Sport Fishing Magazine
"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."
– Guy Harvey, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
"A must-have book not only for scientists and fishers, but also for the general public, such as fish consumers, chefs, students, and managers – anyone who wants to educate themselves about these remarkable creatures and their biology, uses, and distribution. Each species account is illustrated by a distribution map and by exquisite artwork that truly does justice to the magnificence of these animals. This book shall be not only the first but also the most frequent stop for all whose lives are interrelated with tunas, bonitos, mackerels, billfishes, and swordfish, or who are simply curious about them."
– Carolina Minte-Vera, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
"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."
– Kent Carpenter, Old Dominion University
"The book is a vital contribution to our understanding of these two hugely important groups of fishes. It is a landmark publication and an essential reference which will be used by scientists, managers, and fishers, both commercial and recreational, for many years to come. The most comprehensive coverage yet published of two of the most important groups of fishes on the planet. Completely up to date with the taxonomy of all tuna and billfish species based on the latest phylogenetic and molecular techniques. Val Kells's artwork is both accurate and delightful, depicting true-to-life colors of even rarely seen juvenile and postlarval forms."
– Julian Pepperell, author of Fishes of the Open Ocean: A Natural History and Illustrated Guide
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