Deep-Sea Fishes Biology, Diversity, Ecology and Fisheries

The technological advances of the last twenty years have brought huge advances in our understanding of the deep sea and of the species inhabiting this elusive and fascinating environment. Synthesising the very latest research and discoveries, this is a comprehensive and much-needed account of deep-sea fishes. Priede examines all aspects of this incredibly diverse group of animals, reviewing almost 3,500 species and covering deep-sea fish evolution, physiology and ecology as well as charting the history of their discovery from the eighteenth century to the present day. Providing a global account of both pelagic and demersal species, the book ultimately considers the effect of the growing deep-sea fishing industry on sustainability. Copiously illustrated with explanations of the deep-sea environment, drawings of fishes and information on how they adapt to the deep, this is an essential resource for biologists, conservationists, fishery managers and anyone interested in marine evolution and natural history.

1. Introduction; 2. Colonisation of the deep-sea by fishes; 3. Adaptations to the deep sea; 4. Systematic description of deep-sea fishes; 5. The deep-sea fish faunas; 6. Deep-sea fisheries and conservation; 7. Epilogue; Appendix.

Imants G. Priede is Professor Emeritus at Oceanlab, a field research station of the Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen. He has over forty years of experience studying deep-sea fish, from longlining and trawling on the Royal Research Ship Challenger in the 1970s to participating in and leading expeditions to the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and the Mid Atlantic Ridge. The founder of Oceanlab, he also pioneered satellite tracking of sharks in the 1980s and is the recipient of the 2011 Beverton Medal of the Fish Society of the British Isles.