Sea squirts and sponges are found in most seafloor habitats around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. Despite being the dominant life forms in many areas, these two groups of under-recorded marine animals are often confused with one another, and most divers and snorkellers can recognise and name very few species. In fact, around 500 species of Ascidiacea (sea squirts) and Porifera (sponges) have been described so far in British and Irish seas, corresponding to over 4% of the world's total. This book is recommended reading for anyone who wants to identify and discover more about these fascinating and diverse animals. Rather than relying on the characteristics of preserved specimens, this guide uses marine photography and detailed underwater observations to concentrate on in situ features, allowing you to record species without collecting them. Most sea squirts found in Britain and Ireland's shallow waters are included, together with the most easily recognised sponges. Whether you are a student, a diver, a rockpooler or simply an enthusiast, this is an essential companion. aAA AA Over 115 species described in detail, with in situ photographs to help with underwater recognition aAA AA Information on size, depth, habitat and distribution aAA AA Key distinguishing features and areas of confusion in identification highlighted aAA AA Details of body structure, life histories, digestive and reproductive processes aAA AA Information about predators, interactions between species, non-native and problem invasive species

Georges Bank, off the coast of New England, has for years been known as one of the most productive of the world's fisheries. Now, recent exploratory surveys indicate it may hold still other resources–oil and natural gas–in sufficient abundance to justify their development. Suddenly, decisions must be made about whether it is possible to manage two

The Top 200+ species of marine invertebrates, plants, mammals and reptiles of the Maldives in a handy fold-out waterproof guide. A companion guide to the book Marine Life of the Maldives. Includes a silhouette of each animal for easy identification, details including depth range, size, distribution, IUCN Red List status, page reference to the book and a check box for recording species. A handy laminated fold-out reference guide of the same kind as the Maldives Field Fish Guide "Top 200+".

An accessible guide to the changes we can all make-small and large-to rid our lives of disposable plastic and clean up the world's oceans How to Give Up Plastic is a straightforward guide to eliminating plastic from your life. Going room by room through your home and workplace, Greenpeace activist Will McCallum teaches you how to spot disposable plastic items and find plastic-free, sustainable alternatives to each one. From carrying a reusable straw, to catching microfibers when you wash your clothes, to throwing plastic-free parties, you'll learn new and intuitive ways to reduce plastic waste. And by arming you with a wealth of facts about global plastic consumption and anecdotes from activists fighting plastic around the world, you'll also learn how to advocate to businesses and leaders in your community and across the country to commit to eliminating disposable plastics for good. It takes 450 years for a plastic bottle to fully biodegrade, and there are around 12.7 million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. At our current pace, in the year 2050 there could be more plastic in the oceans than fish, by weight. These are alarming figures, but plastic pollution is an environmental crisis with a solution we can all contribute to.

A state-of-the-art photographic field guide to the world's oceanic birds Oceanic birds are among the most remarkable but least known of all birds, living at sea, far from the sight of most people. They offer unusual identification challenges-many species look similar and it can be difficult to get good views of fast-flying birds from a moving boat. The first field guide to the world's oceanic birds in more than two decades, this exciting and authoritative book draws on decades of firsthand experience on the open seas. It features clear text filled with original insights and new information and more than 2,200 carefully chosen color images that bring the ocean and its remarkable winged inhabitants to life. Never before have oceanic birds been presented in such an accessible and comprehensive way. The introduction discusses the many recent developments in seabird taxonomy, which are incorporated into the species accounts, and these accounts are arranged into groups that aid field identification. Each group and species complex has an introductory overview of its identification challenges, illustrated with clear comparative photos. The text describes flight manner, plumage variation related to age and molt, seasonal occurrence patterns, migration routes, and many other features. The result is an indispensable guide for exploring birding's last great frontier. A comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible guide to oceanic birds Covers more than 270 species Includes more than 2,200 color photos with concise captions noting key features Features careful species comparisons, overviews of the latest taxonomy, tips on how to observe and ID birds at sea, and much more

Covering 71 percent of the planet, these saline bodies of water provided the unique conditions necessary for the building blocks of life to form billions of years ago. This book explains how our oceans continue to support and influence life in important ways: by providing the largest global source of protein in the form of fish populations, by creating and influencing weather systems, and by absorbing waste streams such as airborne carbon. It is shown how oceans have an almost magnetic draw-almost half of the world's population lives within a few hours of an ocean. Although oceans are vast in size, exceeding 328 million cubic miles (1.37 billion cubic kilometers), they have been influenced by and have influenced humans in numerous ways. The book includes three detailed case studies. The first focuses on the most remote locations along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where new ocean floor is being formed twenty-thousand feet underwater. The second considers the Maldives, a string of islands in the Indian Ocean, where increasing sea levels may force residents to abandon some communities by 2020. The third describes the North Sea at the edge of the Arctic Ocean, where fishing stocks have been dangerously depleted as a result of multiple nations' unrelenting removal of the smallest and largest species.

Julia Rothman's best-selling illustrated Anatomy series takes a deep dive into the wonders of the sea with Ocean Anatomy. Follow Rothman's inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world's oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. Also available in this series: Nature Anatomy, Farm Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Nature Anatomy Notebook

Sasol First Field Guide to Sharks, Whales and Dolphins of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the sea creatures of the region. With the help of full-colour photographs or illustrations, distribution maps, and easy-to-read text, the young adult and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common shark, whale and dolphin species found in southern Africa, discover where they live, and learn about their unique feeding and breeding habits.

Make a splash at your next card game by swapping your standard card deck with the most spectacular animals from the world's oceans set of playing cards. 52 CARD DECK - The interesting Ocean cards follow the same style as a standard card deck with 52 cards in 4 suits meaning they can be used in the same way. FUN, COLOURFUL ILLUSTRATIONS: Focusing on illustrations of ocean mammals, fish, molluscs and more, plus two jokers, Holly Exley an illustrator and watercolour enthusiast, based in Derbyshire has capturing the life of the oceans so graciously. BOOKLET INCLUDED: Discover fascinating facts about all 54 ocean mammals, fish, molluscs and more in the accompanying booklet. EASY HANDLING: The cards will not crack or bend when shuffled or flexed due to their 300gsm weight. Held within a box these cards are perfect for taking anywhere on the go. GIFTS: With a tremendous interest in ocean, the playing cards make the perfect gift for any card or ocean enthusiast within all age ranges.The cards showcase familiar favourites like the clownfish and bottlenose dolphin to the formidable fangtooth and wonderfully weird Christmas tree worm, these colourful creatures will make waves in any game. After playing your hand, discover fascinating facts about all 54 animals in the accompanying booklet. Other Laurence King Publishing titles included in the Ocean series include I Saw It First! Ocean and Ocean Bingo

Seashells have been the most coveted and collected of nature's creations since the dawn of humanity. They were money before coins, jewellry before gems, art before canvas. In The Sound of the Sea, acclaimed environmental author Cynthia Barnett blends cultural history and science to trace our long love affair with seashells and the hidden lives of the mollusks that make them. Spiralling out from the great cities of shell that once rose in North America to the warming waters of the Maldives and the slave castles of Ghana, Barnett has created an unforgettable account of the world's most iconic seashells. She begins with their childhood wonder, unwinds surprising histories like the origin of Shell Oil as a family business importing exotic shells, and charts what shells and the soft animals that build them are telling scientists about our warming, acidifying seas. From the eerie calls of early shell trumpets to the evolutionary miracle of spines and spires and the modern science of carbon capture inspired by shell, Barnett circles to her central point of listening to nature's wisdom-and acting on what seashells have to say about taking care of each other and our world.

This book explores the factors at work in determining the past, present, and future use of the sea as an important source of protein. It serves as an adjunct text for courses in the economics of natural resources, and as a text for courses in fishery economics.

Which species of sharks live within 500 nautical miles of North American shores, and what do we know about them? Jose I. Castro's The Sharks of North America is the first comprehensive book in sixty years to address these questions, and it does so with unrivaled authority and aesthetic detail.
The 135 comprehensive species accounts summarize the present knowledge. Each begins with the etymology of a species' common and scientific names, followed by the description, identifying characteristics, geographic range, biology, reproduction, location of nurseries, growth and longevity, and relation to humans. These accounts synthesize decades of research and first-hand examination of sharks collected in fisheries and research operations across the continent. They are thorough, current, and dispel many myths and misunderstandings found in the scientific and popular literature.
Each species is illustrated by one or more original profile figures in color, augmented by images of the snout, upper and lower teeth, and dermal denticles. The stunning color illustrations have been painted directly from freshly dead sharks or Castro's photographs of live or fresh specimens. Their anatomical accuracy and true-to-life coloration are unmatched. The detailed pen and ink drawings of the snout and teeth are crucial aids to species identification, as are the exquisite scanning electron microphotographs of dermal denticles.
The Sharks of North America will serve as the standard reference on sharks for the twenty-first century and is certain to become the primary source of information for anyone interested in sharks, from professional biologists and conservationists to students, informed laypersons, and fishermen."

Discover the incredible diversity of life within our seas and learn how we can all play a role in protecting and conserving it. Our seas are home to an abundance of fascinating creatures and stunning habitats. From spectacular kelp forests to intricate rocky reefs and from mud plains to open ocean, the British Isles have a diversity of marine ecosystems that rival those seen on any nature documentary. Yet, for generations, we have been slowly suffocating life beneath the waves. Decades of unsustainable exploitation, endless pollution and a warming climate have had a devastating effect on our marine habitats. However, it's not too late to make a difference and change course. Written in collaboration with the Wildlife Trusts, Britain's Living Seas provides a user-friendly and richly illustrated guide to coasts around the British Isles, uncovering the diversity of life within a range of marine habitats and the life-giving services that they provide us. Outlining how their very existence is under threat, marine biologist Hannah Rudd presents an alternative and sustainable future for the management of our seas. We can all do our bit as individuals too. Through practical steps such as re-thinking what we eat, our relationship with plastic and how we spend our money, we can become marine conservationists in our everyday lives and help to create a healthier future for our oceans. Everyone can discover more about the wonders within the waters that surround us and play a part in rebuilding our connection with the natural world.

Covering 71 percent of the planet, these saline bodies of water provided the unique conditions necessary for the building blocks of life to form billions of years ago. This book explains how our oceans continue to support and influence life in important ways: by providing the largest global source of protein in the form of fish populations, by creating and influencing weather systems, and by absorbing waste streams such as airborne carbon. It is shown how oceans have an almost magnetic draw-almost half of the world's population lives within a few hours of an ocean. Although oceans are vast in size, exceeding 328 million cubic miles (1.37 billion cubic kilometers), they have been influenced by and have influenced humans in numerous ways. The book includes three detailed case studies. The first focuses on the most remote locations along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where new ocean floor is being formed twenty-thousand feet underwater. The second considers the Maldives, a string of islands in the Indian Ocean, where increasing sea levels may force residents to abandon some communities by 2020. The third describes the North Sea at the edge of the Arctic Ocean, where fishing stocks have been dangerously depleted as a result of multiple nations' unrelenting removal of the smallest and largest species.

Sandscapes: Writing the British Seaside reflects on the unique topography of sand, sandscapes, and the seaside in British culture and beyond. This book brings together creative and critical writings that explore the ways sand speaks to us of holidays and respite, but also of time and mortality, of plenitude and eternity. Drawing together writers from a range of backgrounds, the volume explores the environmental, social, personal, cultural, and political significance of sand and the seaside towns that have built up around it. The contributions take a variety of forms including fiction and nonfiction and cover topics ranging from sand dunes to sand mining, from seaside stories to shoreline architecture, from sand grains to global sand movements, from narratives of the setting up of bed and breakfasts to stories of seaside decline. Often a symbol of aridity, sand is revealed in this book to be an astonishingly fertile site for cultural meaning.

The cool temperate waters of our British and Irish seas contain an astonishing 6% of the world's algal species, more than 600 different seaweeds, and yet most divers, snorkelers and rockpoolers can put names to only a handful of them. The first edition of Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland has proved invaluable to an enormous number of people, not just volunteer Seasearch divers and snorkellers, and this eagerly-awaited second edition will no doubt prove to be equally as popular. The aim of this book is to introduce the reader to the wonderful marine environment around Britain and Ireland, and improve identification to the wealth of seaweeds so often overlooked. Features of the new edition include: * Over 230 species described in detail with colour photographs, information on size, habitat and distribution maps. * Over 50 new species, many with information on how to identify to species level using microscopic features. * Key distinguishing features and areas of identity confusion highlighted. * Colour and form used to group species and aid identification using dichotomous keys. * Details of life histories and reproductive processes for the main seaweed groups. * Both scientific and English names used for species and groups. * A glossary of common and specialised terms.

This completely revised and greatly expanded Second Edition of the popular Diver's Guide to Marine Life of Britain and Ireland, covers almost 300 individual species and groups of species seen underwater, from tiny fragile sea spiders to the massive plankton-feeding Basking Shark. This guide aims to introduce divers and snorkellers to the most common and identifiable animals and plants they will encounter underwater, both widely distributed species and some of the specialities of different areas. - 265 individual species descriptions, each with information on habitat, size, depth range and distribution in easy to use icon format - Text emphasising the key features for identification of each species and possible confusions - Underwater photographs showing each species as the diver or snorkeller would see it - A unique `confidence guide' to identify which species are easily recognised and which are likely to require confirmation - Over 30 additional groups of plants and animals that cannot be identified individually underwater, but can be important features of the living community - Information on marine habitats, conservation status and non-native species in British and Irish waters.

Between 1949 and 1955, the State Department pushed for an international fisheries policy grounded in maximum sustainable yield (MSY). The concept is based on a confidence that scientists can predict, theoretically, the largest catch that can be taken from a species' stock over an indefinite period. And while it was modified in 1996 with passage of the Sustained Fisheries Act, MSY is still at the heart of modern American fisheries management. As fish populations continue to crash, however, it is clear that MSY is itself not sustainable. Indeed, the concept has been widely criticized by scientists for ignoring several key factors in fisheries management and has led to the devastating collapse of many fisheries. Carmel Finley reveals that the fallibility of MSY lies at its very inception--as a tool of government rather than science. The foundational doctrine of MSY emerged at a time when the US government was using science to promote and transfer Western knowledge and technology, and to ensure that American ships and planes would have free passage through the world's seas and skies. Finley charts the history of US fisheries science using MSY as her focus, and in particular its application to halibut, tuna, and salmon fisheries. Fish populations the world over are threatened, and All the Fish in the Sea helps to sound warnings of the effect of any management policies divested from science itself.

50 Things to Do at the Beach transforms a day in the sand and sun into a meaningful and inspiring return to nature. Environmental scientist and professional surfer Easkey Britton teaches us how to peek into the mysterious deep, harness the calming nature of the sea, and engage in fun play, like wave running and swimming. The latest addition to our Explore More series, 50 Things to Do at the Beach shows us how to enjoy the many health benefits of time spent by the sea and give back to the waters that sustain us. Kid-friendly activities make this a must-have for families enjoying time together by the sea, ocean, or lake. Vacationers and seadwellers alike will find new and unexpected ways to enjoy the water. Each section is beautifully illustrated to explain the activities and bring the message to life. Surf's up!

Get ready for an epic mission INSIDE a water dragon in Alex Neptune's third fast and funny adventure - perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and Dragon Realm! The sea creatures near Haven Bay are acting very strangely, attacking boats, and Alex senses some dark power is controlling them. When he tracks down his friend the water dragon, he finds it's been infected too. If he can't find a way to stop it, the deadly parasite it's carrying could spread throughout the seas. After battling storms, electric eels and an army of angry crabs, Alex realises that the only way he and his team can save the dragon and all their ocean friends is by going inside the dragon...gulp!

Concise guide to common species found along California's coastline.