Fishes, Our Changing Environment and the Contemporary Fishery Scientist

Abstract

Fishery science in its broadest connotation deals with all aspects of fishes and fish populations. Fishery biologists study life histories of fishes, physiology, mortality, fish diseases, age and rate of growth, behavior, reproduction, population dynamics, genetics, management of fish stocks, and related problems. Since shrimp, oysters, lobsters, and other forms are of considerable commercial importance, they are also included in the broad framework of fishery science. The American Fisheries Society was organized in 1870. Its stated objectives are conservation, development, and wise utilization of recreational and commercial fisheries, promotion of all branches of fishery science and practice, and exchange and dissemination of knowledge about fish, fisheries, and related subjects. The Society publishes the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society; the centennial volume of this journal will appear in 1971. An important journal in a given subject-matter field should reflect many of the recent advances and trends. This article is an exposition of what has been accomplished during the past year, as seen in some of the papers appearing in Volume 99 of the Transactions; coverage is, by definition, selective since this volume contains well over 100 scientific