Game fishes, particularly those of the salmon family, are critical indicators of the health of those ecosystems upon which we now know we are dependent. As the authors of this important environmental book argue, “Our game fishes [then] serve as more than merely an indicator of healthy waters. Instead, they can be regarded as iconic of the ecosystems in which they occur.” Moreover, “the quality requirements of different types of fish population have formed the backbone of a great deal of water management in the UK, Europe and the USA over several decades.” With sections on how and why Britain’s game fishes are under pressure from changes in land use, agriculture, housing needs, etc. – and their concomitant pollution effects – this book assesses how our knowledge of these game fishes reflect the changing values we place on our surrounding wildlife.

Britain hosts a diversity of freshwater environments, from torrential hill streams and lowland rivers to lakes and reservoirs, ponds and canals, and ditches and estuaries. Britain's Freshwater Fishes covers more than 50 species of freshwater and brackish fish found in these waters. This beautifully illustrated guide features in-the-hand and in-the-water photographs throughout, and accessible and informative overviews of topics such as fish biology and life cycles. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, with information on status, size and weight, habitat, ecology, and conservation. The book also includes a glossary and suggestions for further reading. This easy-to-use field guide will be invaluable to anyone interested in Britain's freshwater fish life, from naturalists and academics to students and anglers. Covers all of Britain's freshwater fishes Features beautiful photos throughout Includes detailed information on more than 50 species, the places they inhabit, and their roles in Britain's ecosystems Attractively designed and easy to use

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.

For most British natural historians, there is one vertebrate order that could well be said to be “out of sight, out of mind.” This is our freshwater fishes, familiar principally only to anglers, those concerned with managing rivers and other waterbodies, and a few research scientists. The results of this project, which ran from 1998-2002, are published here in the form of comprehensive 10km square dot-distribution maps for the 54 species inhabiting England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. These indicate the vulnerability of several of our native British species. Following a wide-ranging introductory chapter, and further chapters on distribution and the history of the project, Chapter 4 comprises the individual species accounts under the headings: Description; Biology and behaviour; Habitat; Distribution in Britain; World distribution; Status; Hybrids and related species; and a final section of the relationship of each species with Man. In addition to a map, each species is illustrated by fine lithographs taken from Francis Day's famous 19th century work, skilfully supplemented by Michael J. Roberts for those species unknown to Day. Chapter 5 covers conservation and management of freshwater fishes and is followed by four Appendices relating to (1) Publications; (2 & 3) Legislation; and (4) Selected websites relating to environmental protection, biodiversity information and fish conservation. The book concludes with a Glossary; a comprehensive Bibliography; and an Index. In his Foreword, Sir John Burnett, Chairman of the National Biodiversity Network Trust, commends this books as “a unique reliable source of clear and comprehensive information that is pleasing both to the mind and to the eyes” and expresses the hope that “it will lead to ... the more effective conservation of this ‘alien race’ in our midst.” A joint project of the Environment Agency, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee; written by a team of 38 authors and compiled and edited by Cynthia Davies (CEH), Jonathan Shelley (EA), Paul Harding (Biological Records Centre, CEH), Ian McLean (JNCC), Ross Gardiner (Fisheries Research Services) and Graeme Peirson (EA).