The Complex Lives of British Freshwater Fishes

CHOICE 'Highly Recommended for all readers' June 2021 Vol. 58 No. 10 This stunningly illustrated book goes far beyond a run-of-the-mill nature guide. It explores the fascinating life histories of Britain’s freshwater fishes, a group of animals which, despite their importance and ubiquity in our diverse still and flowing fresh waters, has before now been rarely regarded and respected as 'wildlife'. Our native fishes tend generally to be considered as simply something for anglers to catch or for people to eat, yet they work enormously hard for us. Author Mark Everard, avid nature-watcher, angler and scientist, shows how freshwater fish provide food, ornamentation, sport and cultural identity, and highlights their huge importance for conservation as part of the living ecosystems upon which we all depend. He dives into the mysteries moving below the surface of our rivers and lakes, bringing the wonderful and fascinating world of the diversity of British freshwater fish species into plain sight and into mind. This unique book features over 100 full-colour photographs by pioneering photographer and filmmaker Jack Perks, whose work has featured on BBC Springwatch, The One Show and Countryfile. The book is filled with technical detail useful to conservationists and biology students. Most importantly, it is also presented in an accessible, visually attractive and engaging manner that will appeal to anybody with an interest in the natural world: the conservation-minded public, the angling community, and our nation of wildlife enthusiasts. Whatever your background, this book will open your eyes to our freshwater fishy wealth, and the many ways in which it enriches our lives.

Author Photographer 1. Introduction 2. What is a fish? 3. What have freshwater fishes ever done for us? 4. Knowing your way round a fish 5. The piscatorial dramatis personae 6. Freshwater fish ecosystems 7. Sex lives of the British freshwater fishes 8. The things that Britain’s freshwater fishes eat 9. The curious world of Britain’s freshwater fishes 10. The curious and curiouser world of the European eel 11. Conservation 12. Management of fresh waters for fish 13. Fish twitching 14. So what have we learned about Britain’s freshwater fishes? Further reading Appendix 1: Glossary Appendix 2: Distribution maps of British freshwater fishes Appendix 3: The tendency of British freshwater leuciscine fishes to hybridise Appendix 4: Key identification features of British freshwater cyprinid fishes Appendix 5: Freshwater fishes banned under UK legislation Appendix 6: Fish species scheduled for conservation action Index

Dr Mark Everard is Associate Professor of Ecosystem Services at UWE (the University of the West of England, Bristol). Mark’s many other roles include Ambassador of the Angling Trust, science advisor to the Salmon & Trout Conservation UK (S&TCUK), member of the Conservation Policy Committee of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, member of the Science and Technical Review Panel of the international Ramsar Convention, and life member and former Trustee/Director of the Freshwater Biological Association. Jack Perks is a pioneering photographer and filmmaker with a special passion for aquatic wildlife having filmed all of Britian’s freshwater fish. Underwater work is a particular speciality, with his breath-taking work featuring in many natural history programmes like BBC Springwatch, The One Show, Countryfile and various articles and books. He teaches part time at the University of Nottingham on biological photography and imaging. You can see more of his stunning footage and images at www.jackperksphotography.com. Jack is also a trustee of the Trent Rivers Trust.