This 592-page spiral-bound reference provides a baseline of information for all those involved with managing living marine resources in California and chronicles changes that have occurred in many of the state’s fisheries. Organized by marine ecosystems: bays and estuaries, nearshore and offshore. Includes illustrated species descriptions with details of biological knowledge, fishery history, landings data, population status and references. Also includes sections on marine birds and mammals and appendices containing management considerations (by species), a glossary of technical terms and acronyms and fishing gear illustrations. Jointly produced by the California Sea Grant Extension Program and the California Department of Fish and Game following the passage of the Marine Life Protection Act in January 1999.

Living Marine Resources provides a thorough, up-to-date introduction to all aspects of fisheries science. This clearly written text offers insight into a topic of increasing importance--the wise utilization and management of sea fisheries to maximize production without exceeding their carrying capacity. Adoption of the approaches presented will improve the conservation and management of the many world fisheries that are suffering from years of inefficient practices. The book is divided into five sections, beginning with an introduction to the ocean environment and the various resource species. Part two examines fisheries biology, including age, growth, fecundity, and mortality, enabling readers to appreciate yield models designed to give estimates of maximum sustainable yield and maximum economic yield. The third part covers gear, methods, and landings and includes material on the handling and processing of seafood as well as aquaculture. In part four, yield models are presented to introduce students to theories on population dynamics, stock assessment, and management. The book concludes with coverage of recreational fisheries, including socioeconomic importance, catch and effort research, management techniques, and their interface with commercial fisheries. Living Marine Resources is an invaluable introduction to the subject for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of fisheries science. In addition, the material presented will be valuable to fishery and social scientists, fishery officers and administrators, and students in biology, engineering, economics, and law.