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Open sea mariculture
156
BOOK REVIEWS
non-conventional plants and animals are brought together to draw attention to the comparative efficiencies and contrasting problems of particular production systems. The aim always is to highlight the underlying ecological principles and processes which constitute an agricultural system, to emphasise the dependence of a system on the climate and environment, to explain the interactions between an agricultural system and the community, and to stress the nature of the components of a system. At no time is the reader required to draw upon any specialist knowledge of biology or mathematics. However, to understand the case argued by Professor Spedding it is necessary to approach his book with a broad and somewhat philosophical frame of mind. The reader must be prepared to be led along the pathways in which old and familiar facts are used in new contexts. This is a book which is thought-provoking because of the original way it treats these facts rather than because of its revelation of facts which are themselves new. It does not attempt to deal with the farming of crops and stock; rather it is concerned with the integration of biological processes into farming systems with their variety of purposes, products and resources. The one major objection which must be lodged about this book concerns the size of its print and the unreadable reproduction of some of its diagrams, particularly the circular diagrams which are such an important part of the methodology which Professor Spedding uses so effectively. This makes the text unnecessarily difficult to follow, although no doubt the youthful eyes of undergraduate students (for whom this must be strongly recommended) will find it a little easier to read than did those of this middle-aged reviewer. D. E. TRIBE
Hanson, Joe A. (Ed.). Open Sea Marieulture. Dowden Hutchinson and Ross, Pennsylvania, 1974. 410 pp. Price: £15.10. This book is aimed at a wide audience of both professionals and students. Concerned not only with aquaculture and marine technology it extends to all aspects of off-shore technology and would also be relevant to those interested in the environmental and legal aspects of the sea. Although Joe Hanson has written many of the chapters himself, his skill in editing is apparent in the way in which the contributions of many authors have been blended to produce a very readable book. The book is divided into four parts. The first puts open sea mariculture in perspective with other food supplies and suggests that, with the application of science and technology, it could compete economically with agriculture. The social and legal aspects are also discussed. Part Two deals with the open sea environment, its physical and chemical resources and the possibilities of using solar heat and wind and wave energy. Part Three is the largest and most detailed section and deals with
BOOK REVIEWS
157
nutritional aspects, the selection of the most desirable species, the control of disease, the problems of harvesting and the siting of operations and energy requirements. Part Four reviews the prospects for the future and discusses the possibilities of using existing oil rigs and atolls as bases for mariculturc opcrations. In conclusion, a convincing case is presented of the need for a national programme of research and development in mariculture. The book is well laid out with many excellent drawings and diagrams; a pity, perhaps, that they are not supported with some photographic plates. There are one or two small annoying details, e.g. Tables 8 . 2 4 where the book needs to be turned upside-down in order to read some of the figures. Each chapter is provided with a list of references and, of particular value to students, directions for further reading. A balance is achieved between the biological and engineering implications of open sea mariculture. It is clear that there are many gaps in our knowledge concerning the performance of various species of marine organisms and the manipulation of the environment to improve the biological efficiency of production. It is pointed out, however, that some of the most efficient organisms are the filter-feeding bivalves. Techniques for farming these are already in existence and it would be a relatively simple matter to extend activities in this direction. Great emphasis is laid on the importance of utilising the nutrients existing in the intermediate layers of the ocean, either by exploiting areas of natural upwelling or by inducing artificial upwelling. The problems of providing the necessary energy to achieve the latter and of retaining the nutrient rich water near the surface are discussed. When considering the engineering aspects of actually operating mariculture systems in the near future, the use of existing oil rigs is recommended. Oil producing and mariculture systems are likely to need similar supporting facilities and the integration of the two systems would more fully justify the high capital cost of making, siting and maintaining offshore installations. Several of the chapters conclude with recommendations for research priorities and at the end of the book a rough schedule is given for a ten-year programme of research and development into mariculture. The emphasis is on (1) the environmental problems of wastes and toxins and the dynamics of upwelling, (2) biological research into primary production, prevention of disease and behavioural studies and (3) technological research and development on the problems of attraction, containment and harvesting of the crop, together with feeding technology and artificial upwelling. If there is to be any'criticism of this book it is that the biological and engineering possibilities have not yet been joined convincingly into one complete system, so that one is left with a number of sub-systems which need integrating. However, it is a most useful and informative book and would be a valuable acquisition even for those only on the fringe of the many disciplines involved. R. V. LARGE
BOOK REVIEWS
non-conventional plants and animals are brought together to draw attention to the comparative efficiencies and contrasting problems of particular production systems. The aim always is to highlight the underlying ecological principles and processes which constitute an agricultural system, to emphasise the dependence of a system on the climate and environment, to explain the interactions between an agricultural system and the community, and to stress the nature of the components of a system. At no time is the reader required to draw upon any specialist knowledge of biology or mathematics. However, to understand the case argued by Professor Spedding it is necessary to approach his book with a broad and somewhat philosophical frame of mind. The reader must be prepared to be led along the pathways in which old and familiar facts are used in new contexts. This is a book which is thought-provoking because of the original way it treats these facts rather than because of its revelation of facts which are themselves new. It does not attempt to deal with the farming of crops and stock; rather it is concerned with the integration of biological processes into farming systems with their variety of purposes, products and resources. The one major objection which must be lodged about this book concerns the size of its print and the unreadable reproduction of some of its diagrams, particularly the circular diagrams which are such an important part of the methodology which Professor Spedding uses so effectively. This makes the text unnecessarily difficult to follow, although no doubt the youthful eyes of undergraduate students (for whom this must be strongly recommended) will find it a little easier to read than did those of this middle-aged reviewer. D. E. TRIBE
Hanson, Joe A. (Ed.). Open Sea Marieulture. Dowden Hutchinson and Ross, Pennsylvania, 1974. 410 pp. Price: £15.10. This book is aimed at a wide audience of both professionals and students. Concerned not only with aquaculture and marine technology it extends to all aspects of off-shore technology and would also be relevant to those interested in the environmental and legal aspects of the sea. Although Joe Hanson has written many of the chapters himself, his skill in editing is apparent in the way in which the contributions of many authors have been blended to produce a very readable book. The book is divided into four parts. The first puts open sea mariculture in perspective with other food supplies and suggests that, with the application of science and technology, it could compete economically with agriculture. The social and legal aspects are also discussed. Part Two deals with the open sea environment, its physical and chemical resources and the possibilities of using solar heat and wind and wave energy. Part Three is the largest and most detailed section and deals with
BOOK REVIEWS
157
nutritional aspects, the selection of the most desirable species, the control of disease, the problems of harvesting and the siting of operations and energy requirements. Part Four reviews the prospects for the future and discusses the possibilities of using existing oil rigs and atolls as bases for mariculturc opcrations. In conclusion, a convincing case is presented of the need for a national programme of research and development in mariculture. The book is well laid out with many excellent drawings and diagrams; a pity, perhaps, that they are not supported with some photographic plates. There are one or two small annoying details, e.g. Tables 8 . 2 4 where the book needs to be turned upside-down in order to read some of the figures. Each chapter is provided with a list of references and, of particular value to students, directions for further reading. A balance is achieved between the biological and engineering implications of open sea mariculture. It is clear that there are many gaps in our knowledge concerning the performance of various species of marine organisms and the manipulation of the environment to improve the biological efficiency of production. It is pointed out, however, that some of the most efficient organisms are the filter-feeding bivalves. Techniques for farming these are already in existence and it would be a relatively simple matter to extend activities in this direction. Great emphasis is laid on the importance of utilising the nutrients existing in the intermediate layers of the ocean, either by exploiting areas of natural upwelling or by inducing artificial upwelling. The problems of providing the necessary energy to achieve the latter and of retaining the nutrient rich water near the surface are discussed. When considering the engineering aspects of actually operating mariculture systems in the near future, the use of existing oil rigs is recommended. Oil producing and mariculture systems are likely to need similar supporting facilities and the integration of the two systems would more fully justify the high capital cost of making, siting and maintaining offshore installations. Several of the chapters conclude with recommendations for research priorities and at the end of the book a rough schedule is given for a ten-year programme of research and development into mariculture. The emphasis is on (1) the environmental problems of wastes and toxins and the dynamics of upwelling, (2) biological research into primary production, prevention of disease and behavioural studies and (3) technological research and development on the problems of attraction, containment and harvesting of the crop, together with feeding technology and artificial upwelling. If there is to be any'criticism of this book it is that the biological and engineering possibilities have not yet been joined convincingly into one complete system, so that one is left with a number of sub-systems which need integrating. However, it is a most useful and informative book and would be a valuable acquisition even for those only on the fringe of the many disciplines involved. R. V. LARGE