Freshwater Fishes in Britain

Although there are many books on fishes and fishing, this is the first to deal with the detailed occurrence of freshwater fishes in Britain and is aimed at the general naturalist, for many of whom fishes scarcely exist, as well as anglers, research scientists and those concerned with managing rivers and other waterbodies.

By describing the distribution, roles and significance of freshwater fishes in Britain, the authors intend to make them much better known and more attractive and to raise awareness of the vulnerability of some of our rarer native species.

This Atlas is based on wholly new information obtained from the Database and Atlas of Freshwater Fishes (DAFF), a project which ran from 1998-2002.

It covers England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man but not Ireland as the information available was considered too patchy.

The Introductory Chapter covers 'The importance of freshwater fishes'; 'Fishes and other wildlife'; 'Cultural consciousness of freshwater fishes in Britain'; and 'Study and surveys of freshwater fishes in Britain'.

Chapter 2 deals with distribution; Chapter 3 gives a full account of the DAFF project and details of access to its database. Chapter 4, following an explanatory introduction, comprises accounts of the individual species under the headings: 'Description'; 'Biology and behaviour'; 'Habitat'; 'Distribution in Britain'; 'World distribution'; 'Status'; and 'Hybrids and related species' and a section on the relationship of each species with Man.

Each is accompanied by a 10km square dot-distribution map and an illustration, mostly from Francis Day's superb nineteenth-century lithographic drawings, skilfully supplemented in the same style for more recently introduced species by Michael J.

Roberts. 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 book 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'.