This book considersvarious theoretical and methodological issues in relation to a representative sample of fishing communities along ScotlandOCOs east coast. Can the lexical variation and change found in these communities be perceived as primary evidenc"e;

Sharks are only a small proportion of world recorded fish landings, but they are a versatile and valuable resource. They sustain important fisheries in several countries and are a cheap but valuable source of protein for coastal communities dependent on subsistence fisheries. Sharks are exploited for their meat, fins, teeth, cartilage, liver and other internal organs. This report details species used and methods of preparation for various purposes.

There are few marine creatures as spectacular as the Basking Shark. At up to 11 metres in length and seven tonnes in weight, this colossal, plankton-feeding fish is one of the largest in the world, second only to the whale shark. Historically, Basking Sharks were a familiar sight in the northern hemisphere – off the coasts of Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the USA, for example. In an 18th Century world without electricity, they became the focus of active hunting for their huge livers containing large amounts of valuable oil, primarily used in lamps. Catch numbers were small enough to leave populations largely intact, but during the 20th Century a new breed of hunter joined the fray, some driven as much by a need for adventure as for financial gain. With improved equipment and experience, they exploited the shark on an industrial scale that drastically reduced numbers, leading to localised near-extinction in some areas. From the 1970’s onward a new generation took to the seas, this time with conservation in mind to identify where the shark might still be found in the waters around the British Isles, employing new technologies to solve long-standing mysteries about the behaviour of this elusive creature. Using the best of both old and new research techniques, the case was built to justify the species becoming one of the most protected sharks in the oceans. Today, the Basking Shark is a much-loved cornerstone of our natural heritage. There are positive signs that the population has stabilised and may even be slowly recovering from the damage of the past, proving that timely conservation measures can be effective. Join us on a journey amidst wild seas, places, people and conservation history in the battle to protect this iconic creature – a true sea monster’s tale.

This book investigates how fish experience their lives, their amazing senses and abilities, and how human actions impact their quality of life. The authors examine the concept of fish welfare and the scientific knowledge behind the inclusion of fish within the moral circle, and how this knowledge can change the way we treat fish in the future. In many countries fish are already protected by animal welfare legislation in the same way as mammals, but in practice there is still a major gap between how we ethically view these groups and how we actually treat them. The poor treatment of fish represents a massive animal welfare problem in aquaculture and fisheries, both in terms of the number of animals affected and the severity of the welfare issues. Thanks to its interdisciplinary scope, this thought-provoking book appeals to professionals, academics and students in the fields of animal welfare, cognition and physiology, as well as fisheries and aquaculture management.

The continuing global decline of the health of the sea, and the increasing depletion of marine resources and biodiversity, caused by human activity and climate change, have led to ever-increasing international concern. These changes in the marine environment highlight the importance of effective monitoring of the ecology of the benthos which has been shown to be a sensitive index of such alterations. Completely revised and updated to include many new methods and technologies, this Fourth Edition of Methods for the Study of Marine Benthos provides comprehensive coverage on the tools and techniques available to those working in the area. Commencing with an overview of the design and analysis of benthic surveys, the book continues with chapters covering the sedimentary environment, imaging and diving techniques, macro- and meiofauna techniques, deep sea sampling, energy flow and production. An additional new chapter provided in this edition covers phytobenthos techniques. Written by many of the world’s leading authorities in marine sampling techniques and use, and edited by Professor Anastasios Eleftheriou, this comprehensive Fourth Edition is an essential tool for all marine and environmental scientists, ecologists, fisheries workers and oceanographers. Libraries in all research establishments and universities where these subjects are studied and taught will find this book to be a hugely valuable addition to their collections.