Conservation of Fish and Shellfish Resources: Managing Diversity

Fish and shellfish comprise annually nearly 70-million tons of the world's edible animal protein. However, because of this demand, previously vast stocks have often been exhausted to the point of near extinction. The first book of its kind in the area of freshwater/marine biodiversity, this extensive work reviews the present status of genetic resource management, its needs and constraints, various intervening human factors such as pollution and overfishing, and problems posed by different species and life-styles. This discussion of the conservation of fish and shellfish resources is illustrated by four diverse groups: Atlantic salmon, cupped oysters, common and Chinese carp, and Nile tilapia. These results, produced by the collaboration of nine leading population and production geneticists, aquaculturists, and behavioral and developmental ecologists should become a fundamental resource useful to biologists, scientists and advisors exploring current issues in the fishery sciences.

• Four page color plate section
• Database of key organizations for contact purposes
• Foreword by Dr. Mike Strauss, Am. Assoc. for the Advancement of Science; and Dr. Peter Day, Rutgers University
• Four in-depth case studies by international experts
• Editors are major names in marine/freshwater fisheries science
• Originally sponsored and reviewed by U.S. National Academy of Sciences

Fish and shellfish comprise annually nearly 70 million tons of the world's edible animal protein, one-third of the animal protein consumed in the developing world. However, in many instances the often vast original stocks have been overexploited, and even driven to the point of extinction. Except for currently farmed species, little has been done to maintain and protect genetic stocks for replenishing affected areas. Indeed, maximizing harvests threatens genetic diversity and therefore future animal populations.

This volume addresses this, by reviewing the current status of genetic resource management, its needs and constraints, human impacts such as pollution, and problems posed by different species and life-styles, all in relation to sustainable commercial production and conservation. This complex picture is then illustrated by four contrasting groups: Atlantic salmon, cupped oysters, common and Chinese carps, and Nile tilapia.

Nine leading aquatic population and production geneticists, aquaculturalists, and behavioural and development ecologists have collaborated to produce this volume, which is the first to explore these important areas in aquatic biodiversity. This will be invaluable to all scientists, policy makers and advisors in their efforts to develop and coordinate real solutions to the conservation problems being posed in marine and freshwater environments.