Product Description

From sleek shortbelly rockfish that resemble mackerels to heavy-bodied cowcod, the rockfishes display a bewildering array of shapes, sizes, and colors. This book is the most comprehensive ever written on this marvelously diverse group of fishes. The first part gives an overview of rockfish systematics, biology, ecology, and fisheries. The second part contains a key to identifying each species followed by detailed species accounts including information on appearance, life history, and fishery status. The book is copiously illustrated and written with humor as well as expertise.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #449054 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

From the Inside Flap
"A major landmark contribution to fisheries science and fish ecology. Rockfish populations are in a severe decline throughout the Northeastern Pacific, and the need for a deep understanding of their biology, ecology, and management has never been more critical. This book addresses all aspects of our current knowledge of this diverse and interesting group of groundfish species, and it is written clearly and with humor. An outstanding work!"--Larry G. Allen, California State University, Northridge

"Quite simply the best account ever of the fascinating, diverse, and valuable rockfishes. If you are interested in the marine fishes of the Pacific Coast, you need this book."--Peter B. Moyle, author of Inland Fishes of California

From the Back Cover
"A major landmark contribution to fisheries science and fish ecology. Rockfish populations are in a severe decline throughout the Northeastern Pacific, and the need for a deep understanding of their biology, ecology, and management has never been more critical. This book addresses all aspects of our current knowledge of this diverse and interesting group of groundfish species, and it is written clearly and with humor. An outstanding work!"-Larry G. Allen, California State University, Northridge "Quite simply the best account ever of the fascinating, diverse, and valuable rockfishes. If you are interested in the marine fishes of the Pacific Coast, you need this book."-Peter B. Moyle, author of Inland Fishes of California

About the Author
Milton S. Love is Associate Research Biologist at the Marine Science Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the author of Probably More Than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast (1996), and other works. Mary Yoklavich is an award-winning Research Biologist who leads the Habitat Ecology Team of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service Santa Cruz Laboratory. Lyman Thorsteinson is Deputy Director of the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Fisheries Research Center in Seattle.

Customer Reviews

Surprise! A well written and humorous tome on fish!!
Rockfishes of the Northeast Pacific starts out with a laugh-out-loud intro, in which the editor sums up: "Why are we writing about rockfish? That's because rockfish are cool. ... " The first few chapters are a good intro for us non-scientific fish aficionados (yes, that's how it's spelled!). And the photos and artwork throughout the book are superb. I leave mine on my coffee table, it's so pretty, and I do refer to it frequently whenever I see a "new" (at least to me) variety of rockfish, which is a farily common occurrence while I'm scuba diving in my local Southern California waters.

I know other, more "scientific" readers have panned the book for lack of supporting data, etc. but as a layperson I didn't notice anything missing. My appreciation for/understanding of this important family of fishes is significantly enhanced by this book. And I'll say it again: it's actually a good read, as long as you are nutty enough to purchase a large book devoted to a single variety of fish. Like me.

Buy it, I think you'll like it!
kelpgurl

Much more than one can hope for....
First of all, I am not a rockfish biologist. All my research is focused on sturgeons, but I have always had a "thing" for rockfish. I for one, feel this book represents the ultimate field guide. But unlike most field guides, it has a tremendous amount of information concerning each species as well as fisheries, stock trends etc.....
If you need more information on rockfish than what this volume provides, go look it up in a journal! That is what journals are for. This book does a great job in summing up the basic life history aspects and description of each species. Also worth mentioning is the fact that this is one heck of a beautiful book! The photos are good to great and the distribution maps are nicely done. In terms of overall layout, we can all learn much from this volume. BRAVO !!!!!

it's big...it's flashy...but it's disappointing
A casual glance through this book might impress, but it's really stuffed full of ego-fodder, some really nice art, and some OK summary information about Pacific rockfish species. However, for those who have worked with Sebastes in the Pacific for 20+ years, it soon becomes obvious that much is lacking. Great gaps yawn throughout. The reference information is sorely lacking in completeness and much of the recent research over the past 10 years is missing. This could have been something great. It still is a nice starting place for those interested in the genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus. But, after passing my new copy through the lab today, the concensus is that it is a pretty book lacking scientific integrity and completeness. Mary Yoklavich does add credibility by her involvement, but, well....for those who find joy in juvenile humor, you'll find some here. A scientific reference it's NOT. Sigh.