Commences with a discussion of biological and statistical considerations involved in designing an effective survey. Examines sampling equipment and techniques used in conducting direct surveys with equal attention to trawl, acoustic, ichthyoplankton and sighting studies. Alternative approaches used in each type of survey are reviewed and numerous case histories illustrate successful applications.

This selection of methods is based on lecture notes used at a FAO/DANIDA training course held in Mombasa, Kenya, in May-June 1980. The methods presented are: regression and correlation, estimation of growth parameters from length-frequency data, estimation of mortalities (total, natural, fishing mortality) and analysis of catch and effort data. A brief annotated bibliography of tropical fish stock assessment is included.