Author Description

This field guide is the most comprehensive overview of Alaska's cartilaginous fishes ever produced. The authoritative book combines information from the scientific literature with morphology descriptions based on museum specimens, and distribution data from assessment surveys and observer collections. An identification key to 9 sharks, 15 skates, and one ratfish is included, as well as a key to egg cases. Color photos, illustrations, and distribution maps are provided for each species, supplemented with shark teeth drawings. Sharks, skates, and ratfish are important to Alaska's marine ecosystems, even though they do not support large commercial fisheries. In addition, because of their large size, longevity, and low reproduction rate, they may represent the most vulnerable components of the ecosystems. This book feeds the increasing curiosity about the diversity and conservation of cartilaginous fishes.