Field Guide to the Commercial Marine and Brackish-water Resources of the Northern Coast of South America

This field guide covers the major fishery resource groups occurring along the northern coast of South America, including seaweeds, gastropods, bivalves, cephalopods, stomatopods, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, sharks, batoid fishes, bony fishes, and marine turtles. The introduction includes a detailed description of the boundaries and the geophysical, oceanographic and ecological features of the area, the distribution and nature of the main fishing grounds, the species dominating in each habitat, and the fishing techniques used. Each of the major resource group sections includes an explanation of the technical terms and measurements used, guidelines for the identification of families present in the area, and a detailed presentation of families and species considered to be of interest to fisheries. It provides scientific nomenclature, FAO names proposed for use at regional level, one or more illustrations, diagnostic features, and notes on geographical distribution, habitat, and fisheries. An alphabetical index of family and species names used is included. The guide is illustrated with black and white drawings and 320 colour photographs.