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World fish farming: Cultivation and economics
278
from general morphology to ecology, physiology to pathology, nutrition to seeding and management of culture beds. With each chapter is a list of references with both the Japanese and the English titles. In contrast with many publications on aquaculture topics which have an expensive and glossy production, this book is not pretentiously produced. The print on the low quality paper is excellent, but the photographs (ironically for the Japanese) have reproduced badly. However, the thousands of good words are infinitely more valuable than the pictures in this case, and this textbook is priceless. It is an essential acquisition for anyone working with these five particular groups of aquatic organisms, and it is highly recommended to everyone. It is an excellent model for future scientific and technical textbooks in aquaculture as well as for planning an aquaculture development campaign. Henshushia tachi go shuppan omedetoo gozaimasu. C.E. NASH (Waimanalo,
Hawaii,
U.S. A.)
WORLD FISH FARMING
World Fish Farming: Cultivation and Economics. E.E. Brown. The Avi Publishing Company, 0-87055-234-l.
Inc., Westport,
Conn., U.S.A., 1977, ISBN
Although totally inadequate for its presumptuous title, this volume by E. Evan Brown does have certain merit. It contains a great deal of factual data on production and production economics for a number of aquatic species in very many countries. As such, it provides a useful reference book for the background reader but, with certain exceptions, it falls far short of its claims. ‘The author states that ninety-three species of cultured fish, seven species of shrimp and prawns, and six species of crayfish are discussed. However, on reading the book only the data on the rainbow trout and the eel are important reviews; those on the carp and the crustaceans are good if the pieces can be extracted, but the rest can only be described as passing deference to species by name alone. Similarly, the author claims that twenty-eight countries are represented. This is true in subject but hardly in spirit. Only the United States and Japan have been treated with any depth. Other countries, particularly the European ones, get very short shrift, and those of Africa and South America are simply ignored. The author explains this on the contributions these countries make to the world production, and on the availability of data. However, a review of the Country Statements available through FAO would illustrate that many countries within these two continents have data more presentable than the authur provides for Spain, Portugal, England and Ireland.
279
The figures and tables (most of which come from outside sources) are clear and informative. The photographs are poor and sometimes fail to make any point at all. The style of the book, perhaps typical of economists and engineers, is clipped and to the point. This is obviously no criticism except it subconsciously reinforces the overall impression which the book leaves with this reviewer, that it was written and published in a hurry and with little planning. Also, the fact that the author summarizes the economic outlook of world fish farming in less than two pages is construed to mean that he did not have time to think about it, rather than (I hope) an indication of its future importance. However, oddly enough, I like the book. It seems to be a valuable addition to the bookshelf provided that you know it does not really contain what it says it does. C.E. NASH (Waimanalo, Hawaii, U.S.A.)
from general morphology to ecology, physiology to pathology, nutrition to seeding and management of culture beds. With each chapter is a list of references with both the Japanese and the English titles. In contrast with many publications on aquaculture topics which have an expensive and glossy production, this book is not pretentiously produced. The print on the low quality paper is excellent, but the photographs (ironically for the Japanese) have reproduced badly. However, the thousands of good words are infinitely more valuable than the pictures in this case, and this textbook is priceless. It is an essential acquisition for anyone working with these five particular groups of aquatic organisms, and it is highly recommended to everyone. It is an excellent model for future scientific and technical textbooks in aquaculture as well as for planning an aquaculture development campaign. Henshushia tachi go shuppan omedetoo gozaimasu. C.E. NASH (Waimanalo,
Hawaii,
U.S. A.)
WORLD FISH FARMING
World Fish Farming: Cultivation and Economics. E.E. Brown. The Avi Publishing Company, 0-87055-234-l.
Inc., Westport,
Conn., U.S.A., 1977, ISBN
Although totally inadequate for its presumptuous title, this volume by E. Evan Brown does have certain merit. It contains a great deal of factual data on production and production economics for a number of aquatic species in very many countries. As such, it provides a useful reference book for the background reader but, with certain exceptions, it falls far short of its claims. ‘The author states that ninety-three species of cultured fish, seven species of shrimp and prawns, and six species of crayfish are discussed. However, on reading the book only the data on the rainbow trout and the eel are important reviews; those on the carp and the crustaceans are good if the pieces can be extracted, but the rest can only be described as passing deference to species by name alone. Similarly, the author claims that twenty-eight countries are represented. This is true in subject but hardly in spirit. Only the United States and Japan have been treated with any depth. Other countries, particularly the European ones, get very short shrift, and those of Africa and South America are simply ignored. The author explains this on the contributions these countries make to the world production, and on the availability of data. However, a review of the Country Statements available through FAO would illustrate that many countries within these two continents have data more presentable than the authur provides for Spain, Portugal, England and Ireland.
279
The figures and tables (most of which come from outside sources) are clear and informative. The photographs are poor and sometimes fail to make any point at all. The style of the book, perhaps typical of economists and engineers, is clipped and to the point. This is obviously no criticism except it subconsciously reinforces the overall impression which the book leaves with this reviewer, that it was written and published in a hurry and with little planning. Also, the fact that the author summarizes the economic outlook of world fish farming in less than two pages is construed to mean that he did not have time to think about it, rather than (I hope) an indication of its future importance. However, oddly enough, I like the book. It seems to be a valuable addition to the bookshelf provided that you know it does not really contain what it says it does. C.E. NASH (Waimanalo, Hawaii, U.S.A.)