The spotted seatrout is an important species not only for recreational and commercial fisheries, but also as an integral part of many estuarine ecosystems. As one of the few fishes that live its entire life within an estuarine system, the species has tremendous potential as a monitor or sentinel for estuarine conditions. Prepared by the foremost authorities in their respective fields, Biology of the Spotted Seatrout presents an up-to-date summary of what is known about the basic biology of this important species. This innovative reference provides current life history information on this species for the expressed purpose of beginning the task of assessing differences in estuarine restricted sub-populations of spotted seatrout. It serves as a model of a biological summary directed toward determining which of the life history parameters will most aptly serve as bioindicators to meet overall environmental management needs. It integrates estuarine specific life history features into the overall management of both estuaries and an estuarine dependent fishery. Biology of the Spotted Seatrout includes a classic systematic approach to studying the relationships between seatrout genera as well as a more modern approach to investigating intra- and inter-estuarine differences in genetic structure. Ecologists, fisheries biologists and managers, and environmental scientists worldwide will be able to use the information presented in this book as a model on which to establish a database of information to be used to assess and compare estuarine conditions and environmental health. This valuable book serves as a blueprint for bringing together the biological criteria necessary to begin landscape scale comparisons of estuaries based on the biological information of totally estuarine dependent species, such as the spotted seatrout.

At an increasingly global scale, aquatic scientists are heavily entrenched in understanding the fate of marine ecosystems in the face of human-altered environments. Oil spill disasters, especially large-scale ones like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon tragedy, have left uncertain and indelible marks on marine ecosystems. Impacts of Oil Spill Disasters on Marine Habitats and Fisheries in North America contains independent scientific findings and critical reviews from experts researching the impacts of the Exxon Valdez, Ixtoc I, and Deepwater Horizon oil spills on coastal fishery resources. Comprised of three sections, this seminal work: Details the physiological effects of oil-derived compounds on fishes, presenting results from field and laboratory investigations Addresses the science of assessing the impacts of oil spills and oil response measures on coastal habitats, with an emphasis on salt-marsh ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico Explores the quantified and potential impacts of oil spills on population and community dynamics of commercial and recreational fishery species Provides newly released results from the 25-year recovery of marine mammals, birds, and fishes following the Exxon Valdez spill Chapters discuss new techniques for collecting and processing blood samples for toxicity testing, new aerial radar techniques for detecting unseen oil on marshes, consequences of oil prevention measures (such as diverting fresh water to estuaries or building sand berms to stop oil) on coastal fishery resources, and non-traditional methods for assessing the herring stock in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA following the Exxon Valdez disaster.

Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life is an introductory higher education textbook for students with no prior knowledge of marine biology. The book uses selected groups of marine organisms to provide a basic understanding of biological principles and processes that are fundamental to sea life.