Fish Conservation: A Guide to Understanding and Restoring Global Aquatic Biodiversity and Fishery Resources

600 Pages·2007·8.85 MB·English

by  Gene S. Helfman

ABOUT ISLAND PRESS
Island Press is the only nonprofit organization in the United States whose principal purpose is
the publication of books on environmental issues and natural resource management.We provide
solutions-oriented information to professionals,public officials,business and community lead-
ers,and concerned citizens who are shaping responses to environmental problems.
In 2006,Island Press celebrates its twenty-first anniversary as the leading provider of timely
and practical books that take a multidisciplinary approach to critical environmental concerns.
Our growing list of titles reflects our commitment to bringing the best of an expanding body
of literature to the environmental community throughout North America and the world.
Support for Island Press is provided by the Agua Fund, The Geraldine R. Dodge
Foundation,Doris Duke Charitable Foundation,The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation,
Kendeda Sustainability Fund of the Tides Foundation, Forrest C. Lattner Foundation,The
Henry Luce Foundation,The John D.and Catherine T.MacArthur Foundation,The Marisla
Foundation,The AndrewW.Mellon Foundation,Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation,The
Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Oak Foundation,The Overbrook Foundation,The
David and Lucile Packard Foundation,The Winslow Foundation,and other generous donors.
The opinions expressed in this book arethose of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect
the views of these foundations.
FISH CONSERVATION

FISH CONSERVATION
A Guide to Understanding and Restoring
Global Aquatic Biodiversity and Fishery Resources
Gene S. Helfman
Washington • Covelo • London
Copyright © 2007 Gene S.Helfman
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.No part of this book
may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher:Island
Press,1718 Connecticut Avenue NW,Suite 300,Washington,DC 20009,USA.
Island Press is a trademark of The Center for Resource Economics.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Helfman,Gene S.
Fish conservation :a guide to understanding and restoring global aquatic biodiversity and
fishery resources / Gene S.Helfman.
p.cm.
ISBN-13:978-1-55963-595-0 (cloth :alk.paper)
ISBN-10:1-55963-595-9 (cloth :alk.paper)
ISBN-13:978-1-55963-596-7 (pbk.:alk.paper)
ISBN-10:1-55963-596-7 (pbk.:alk.paper)
1. Fishes—Conservation.2. Biodiversity conservation.3. Fishery Management. I.Title.
SH327.7.H46 2007
333.95'611—dc22
2007001842
Printed on recycled,acid-free paper
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Bob Johannes,who cared about fishes and people
and made the world a better place for both.

Contents
Preface xi
PART I: INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1. Fish Biodiversity and Why It Should Matter 3
PART II: IMPERILED FISHES: TAXONOMY, GEOGRAPHY, AND
VULNERABILITY
Chapter 2. Roll Call I:A Taxonomic Perspective 19
Chapter 3. Roll Call II:A Geopolitical Perspective 49
Chapter 4. Characteristics of Vulnerable Species and Correlates
of Imperilment 75
PART III: INDIRECT CAUSES OF DECLINE: HABITAT, WATER,
AND INTRODUCTIONS
Chapter 5. Habitat Modification and Loss 97
Chapter 6. Dams,Impoundments,and Other Hydrological Alterations 130
Chapter 7. Degraded Water Quality 158
Chapter 8. Alien Species I:Case Histories,Mechanisms,and Levels
of Impact 200
Chapter 9. Alien Species II:Understanding the Process,Minimizing
the Impact 223
ix