On the Dynamics of Exploited Fish Populations

by Raymond J.H. Beverton

This is a reprint of the classic first published in 1957. One of the authors, Raymond Beverton, recently died. His co-author, Sidney Holt, has written a new Foreword to this printing in which he reviews events in fisheries research and management through the past 50 years as these relate to their joint work. On the Dynamics of Exploited Fish Populations has become the most widely cited fisheries book ever published and the fact that the bulk of the information contained within its covers is still valid has led to this reprinting. Beverton and Holt's great work created a solid foundation for one of the two major global visions of the science of fisheries. This book was the genesis of the modern age-structured approach to the optimal management of fishery resources. Their approach led directly to a formulation of the fishery catch equation with almost universal applicability. Its advantage was that it produced easily interpreted outputs that could be clearly and directly applied to any fishery. Ultimately, this approach was the forerunner to VPA and allied techniques, the core of modern catch forecasting used in setting quotas and in managing commercial fisheries worldwide. Although the perception of the objectives of fisheries research has changed since the 1950s, and computers now enable calculations, data analysis, and theoretical exploration far beyond their capability at the time, Beverton and Holt will continue to be a source of inspiration and insight for many years to come. Sidney J. Holt was educated at Reading University, England. He has held academic positions at St John's College, Cambridge, England; University of California at Santa Cruz; University of Rhode Island; University of Malta. He is the author of 400 scientific papers, book chapters and popular articles, especially in the fields of fisheries science and management, conservation, protection of marine mammals, especially whales. He served 25 years in the United Nations system of Specialised Agencies (including the FAO in Rome, UNESCO as Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Director of Division of Marine Science; Marine Mammals; Advisor to the United Nations Environment Programme; UN Adviser on Mediterranean Marine Affairs, in which capacity he founded and served as first Director of, the International Ocean Institute, in Malta). Since his formal retirement Dr Holt has served on the delegations of Italy and of the Republic of Seychelles to the International Whaling Commission, and also as adviser to the delegations of France and Chile. Dr Holt has worked extensively with several Non-Governmental Organisations concerned with marine conservation. Apart from continuing to write and campaign Dr Holt advises the Third Millennium Foundation, and serves as Executive Director of the International League for the Protection of Cetaceans, which he founded 18 years ago.

515 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 1993

Reviews

[Caley Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We make no apology for the fact that much of what is to follow is mathematical in nature."
-Beverton and Holt in Section 1: Introduction

And how! This book is a classic piece of fisheries science literature as well as one of the most cited works in the field of all time and for good reason. Not only is this book where the Beverton-Holt model of population grown was developed, it also smoothly integrates other concepts such as von Bertalanffy growth, catch per unit effort, and mesh size into its explanations of how to approach the theory and study of fisheries with particular emphasis on North Sea haddock and plaice stocks. This book has also aged very well as much of the commentary on fisheries management still rings true to the situation of exploited fish stocks to this day. Definitely a highly recommended read for anyone interested in this field.

[Marcos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clássico livro de biologia pesqueira, excelente fonte de consulta para modelagem em dinâmica de organismos. Crescimento, mortalidade, natalidade. Foi republicado em 1993 e ainda não perdeu a relevância, muitos anos depois