(Part 2) Best biology of fishes & sharks books according to redditors
We found 94 Reddit comments discussing the best biology of fishes & sharks books. We ranked the 54 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
It's an older book but one I am very partial to because it got me started: Great White Shark by Richard Ellis and John McCosker http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HQMZQ0E/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1458936067&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=great+white+shark+ellis&dpPl=1&dpID=51701uVuhcL&ref=plSrch
Another interesting read is The Lady and the Sharks by Eugenie Clark. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_0_19?k=the+lady+and+the+sharks&sprefix=the+lady+and+the+sh This was about setting up Cape Haze Laboratory (now Mote Marine Laboratory) which studies sharks primarily. She has a great writing style and the focus on the research is interesting. During this time Genie was running tests on lemon sharks which ultimately proved sharks were capable of being trained and learning to feed at particular targets. Her papers on this subject are fascinating too. Those are on Google scholar if you're interested or PM me if you need help.
Fora general field guide or handbook on sharks I'd go with Dr. Greg Skomal's guide: the shark handbook http://www.amazon.com/The-Shark-Handbook-Essential-Understanding/dp/1604330074
Most overall shark books tend to be geared more towards kids but Dr. Skomal does a great job not dumbing things down. The photos are great too.
I've been on this search before, and sadly, there aren't many options out there. I linked below the book I ended up buying. It isn't that big, but it's full of pictures and general descriptions. I really like it, although a large species-specific book would be nice. I haven't done an in-depth search for three years, so maybe there's something else out there by now. Either way, I hope you get something you like!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1593730209/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Would like to see what other people post! So far I've used Western Hatches and Fish Food. These books have helped me a bit. Hope this helps!
It is a complex topic. Only a few shark species regularly attack humans. The top three nearshore species prone to attack are the great white, bull, and tiger. Each has different characteristics. Great whites (GWs), for example, almost never eat the people they kill.
The topic is also contentious because it is highly probable that the low level of attack is correlated with the large number of sharks killed. When we hear the narrative “Sharks attack fewer than 100 people per year; you'll sooner be hit by lightning,” it is usually followed by: "People are much more dangerous; we kill 60-100 million sharks a year." No connection between these two?
Conservationists lobby hard for shark protection. Almost all shark species have been seriously overfished. If it is conceded that sharks are a significant problem to humans, rather than only a negligible one, the case for culling sharks for public safety is much stronger. (TL_DR 2, below, has some info on shark culling--a heated debate.)
Conceding this would be problematic for some shark conservationists. So the inquiry into shark danger is not exactly a welcome one. The topic is also very contestable. As another poster here correctly says: “human-shark interactions are insanely difficult to study within a scientific framework.” That means one has to use logic to seek answers.
Since logic--inferior to measurable science--is all we have here, this is my stab at delving into the topic. (This is likely TL-DR for most people.)
You are right in suggesting that it is counterintuitive that sharks don't attack people more often. It's somewhat a mystery, and there is value in comparing sharks to other predators. If one lacks specialized knowledge, one would logically think that generalist feeder sharks (tigers and bulls) are similar to crocodiles. (Hereafter “sharks” refers only to bull and tiger sharks.)
Sharks and crocs both target a wide variety of prey. But sharks don’t attack people often; crocs (Nile and Salt Water) are far more dangerous. Crocs attack about 1,000 people per year, killing 2/3rds CrocBITE, even though people make a big avoidance efforts. People swim near sharks all the time, without problem. Crocs are many multiples more dangerous than sharks.
Sharks are also far less dangerous than lions and tigers (which in turn are much less dangerous than crocs.)
If sharks are unlike crocs in attack proclivities--every hungry croc of sufficient size will attack a human--we should ponder if sharks are more like tigers (the big cat) in their danger to man. The history of tiger attack reveals that the offending animals are by a large degree injured or old and feeble--with difficulty in killing normal prey.
In short, a subset of every tiger population disproportionately attacks humans. Same thing with sharks? Probably. Logically, large, aging sharks can be deduced to pose the most danger to humans and be responsible for most attacks (or would be if these sharks still remained in significant numbers).
Observations, assumptions and questions:
Key data we lack for sharks, which we generally have for other predators: What sort of hunting challenges do sharks have in old age? Might they be prone to seeking large prey, and not excluding a human if they came across one? What is the total tiger shark population, for example, near the Hawaiian Islands (including migrating sharks)? What percentage is 30 years or older? (Life expectancy 30-40 years.) Do large tiger sharks prey on each other? Suffer GW predation? Are aging tiger sharks more lethargic, and prone to loitering near land, which might put them in conflict with humans? Etc., etc.
The role of the fewer-larger-fish factor. This well-known phenomenon has much affected long lived ocean species like tuna and marlin. Matt Rigney discusses the matter in his book In pursuit of giants. Rigney doesn’t touch on sharks much but since sharks are long lived, we should assume a similar outcome.
My conclusion:
Sharks, while far less lethal to people than crocodiles and the big cats, are significantly more dangerous than the fewer than 100 attacks per year metric would suggest. The heavy suppression of shark populations for at least a century has reduced human-shark encounters. More significantly, this suppression has disproportionately removed from the world’s shark populations those individuals most dangerous to people--large, aging sharks. Far fewer attacks are occurring than would be the case if shark populations were intact.
It is near impossible to predict how dangerous sharks would be over time in a proverbial state of nature. Today, worldwide, tigers also attack less than 100 people a year. This from a population of about 3,500-4000 animals. Before tiger populations were reduced, the toll was much higher. Estimated death toll from tigers, primarily in India and SE Asia, 1800 - 2009: 373,000 people.
TL-DR 2 Shark culling - a contested topic
Australia and South Africa have culled since the 1960s. Sharks killed 6 people in 3 1/2 months near Durban in 1958, [initiating their program] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_December). Many shark experts say this was a one off event. Australian cull data; South African shark control organization
The logic for culling is explained in this book on the great white, pp. 491-494. Many shark conservationists contest the effectiveness of culling. Two sources:
1994 study conclusion: Shark control programs do not
appear to have had measurable effects on the rate of shark attacks in Hawaiian
waters; and
[Deakin University Professor questions statistical link] (https://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/shark-nets-do-nothing-reduce-chance-attack-study/2923848/)
The culling debate has been particularly heated in Australia. [2014: Thousand protested culling plans]
(https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/10611526/Thousands-rally-against-shark-cull-in-Australia.html) Nations that cull sharks acknowledge the environment harm from lower shark numbers and have greatly reduced kill levels in the past 20 years.
Good book here: http://www.amazon.com/Sharks-American-Waters-Natural-History/dp/0890961433/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1407304285&sr=8-6&keywords=sharks+of+north+america
Barry Reynolds Carp on the Fly The OG carp bible
The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing for Carp: Tips and Tricks for the Determined Angler
Dan Frasier's new book The Orvis Beginner's Guide to Carp Flies: 101 Patterns & How and When to Use Them
You're also going to have better shots at carp on foot, rather than in a boat anyways.
And you do realize that John Montana Bartlett does 90% of his fishing on the Big C, as in the Columbia river, right? Thats PNW
Observation is your best friend. Learn to recognize what's on/in/under the water. Check out Handbook of Hatches by Dave Hughes for a good basic guide to what trout eat and flies to match them. The Mayfly Guide by Al Caucci (PA fishing legend) is more specific but a beautiful little book. Trout Streams of Pennsylvania by Greg Landis is a great guide to our wonderful state's streams and often gives specific advice regarding what hatches may be found on a particular one. Edit: No Hatch to Match by Rich Ostoff is a great guide for all those times that there aren't bugs on the water.
I'm also in SE PA (Philly) and would be happy to meet up and wet a line. Drop me a PM if interested.
Is your trip centered around fishing? Or are you there for other reasons? I ask because if you are there for other reasons, I would suggest hiring a guide to take you out for a day to increase your chances.
Your line should be a weight-forward, floating, salt water fly line. Make sure it is clean (so it shoots through the eyes better). Have plenty of backing on your reel as well. There are leaders made specifically for bonefish with a stronger butt-section to turn over the flies. I'd suggest having a few of these and some extra fluorocarbon to add to your tippet throughout the day. 9 foot, 10-12 lb leaders will work well on windy days. Longer leaders can be used for calm days.
Bonefish can be difficult to spot, so a good pair of polarized glasses is a must. They spook easily and can run in large groups. If you have the time to read up on them, I'd suggest this book.
If you really want to test your equipment, try to catch a permit while you're there (hell, go for the "grand slam" and catch a bone, permit and tarpon in the same day!).
Flies.
I think it's all in what you make of it. I've been kayak angling for a long time and went through phases of getting more and more complex, and then simpler and simpler. My rig has a fish finder, still, but I find myself only carrying 2-3 rods now, and a small selection of tackle. Preparation time is reduced because I now use a trailer, so I just need to hook up and go. I can be on the water almost instantly, no carrying gear from truck -> kayak. I think it's a sport that lends itself to simplicity. Not every fishing kayak has to be outfitted like a bass boat. I focus mainly on predator fish now, like pike and gar, and I love the challenge of large fish in a small boat. I wouldn't give up quite so easily. Shameless plug for my book, where I talk in depth about simplicity. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510711120/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Since he's in BC I'm sure he's a huge steelhead fisherman. If he doesn't have the bible, he probably should: https://www.amazon.com/Steelhead-Fly-Fishing-Trey-Combs/dp/155821903X
You can download / torrent the PDF for the book, but I'd suggest buying a copy as well to support the author.
Really good book. They have another book for creatures as well.
Yes, probably years ago because I've been able to find them all over campus. A friend of mine wrote a book, Fishes in the Freshwaters of Florida, and the page that shows where Platys can be found has a big red blotch around Gainesville.
Try this http://www.amazon.com/Bigelow-Schroeders-Fishes-Maine-Edition/dp/1560989513
Its a definitive volume of marine life for the northern atlantic, set a ton of standards for the field when it was published, and is still super relevant.
Must buy in general
Hmm, I've got the book that could do it but I'm pretty sure it's at my parents house in little rock.
It is probably out of print. That and it has a lot of illustrations and photos. BTW, books like this get much more expensive.
Corals of the World
Reef Fishes of the East Indies
Both are amazing books and the second is even still in print.
Must-have:
Probably More Than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast; a humorous guide to Pacific Fishes by Dr. Milton Love
Here's a link to Applied Ecological Services in Wisconsin...I would imagine every region having similar firms. Consider civil engineering as well for the hydraulic study behind restoration projects...horticulture for plant production.
I'm an LA and avid fly fisherman...Better Trout Habitat by Christopher Hunter has some really cool info on stream restoration. You could talk with folks at Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants and Quail Forever, etc...
Start here: 49.637572, -114.492626
This is the start of highway 40 - the Forestry Trunk Road. Locally, it is called the 'Trout Highway'. For almost the entire stretch, it is Crown land (which is essentially public access, but God Save the Queen and all that noise), except for the times when you are in practically pristine provincial or national parks.
https://www.amazon.ca/Albertas-Trout-Highway-Fishing-Forestry/dp/0968860303
At the start, it is probably one of the busier sections in Alberta, but gullible cutthroat trout are worth being around a few extra people.
As you go north of the Trans Canada highway, you enter the area of Alberta's wildly underrated brown trout streams. The scenery is just as good, but brown trout are not as easy to catch. But with the practice acquired on the first leg of the trip, you will be prepped.
And as you get close to Highway 16 (also a trans-Canada highway, but not THE Trans Canada highway), the quarry changes from browns to fully native rainbows (often called athabows) and grayling. And bull trout.
Local fly fishing legend wrote this book: https://www.amazon.ca/Trout-Streams-Alberta-Guide-Fishing/dp/0921835175/ref=pd_sim_14_1/130-1085907-3153402?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=APRVCGD6QTPB5RDTC3PG
It breaks down the fishing based on the river basins, which is why the species change.
This drive is filled with breathtaking scenery. Once you are as far north as you would like. On your drive home, you can hit all the big rivers. The Bow River being the best spot to hit in Alberta. Or take Hwy 16/Trans Canada back to Vermont. It is pretty dry between Alberta and Ontario in terms of trout streams, but once you hit Ontario, there are hundreds of angling options, even without a boat.
But you have to be aware that Canada is not as cheap as US, even considering the difference in our dollar. Anything that is a 'vice' has a pretty big tax on it, like booze. You will find food to be about the same price.
My biggest warning is that you might not ever want to leave. :)
Here is the book by Jason Randall....