Marine Life of the North Sea and English Channel

About this book

A practical and fascinating guidebook covering the fishes, invertebrates and other marine life of the North Sea and English Channel. Visitors to the North Sea are astonished at the abundance of marine life that exists in this relatively small sea that is bounded by Britain to the west and the shores of northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and the far south-west of Sweden in the east.

Featuring more than 500 species of fish, crustaceans and other vertebrates and invertebrates commonly found in the region, this compact and easy-to-follow guidebook includes key information on identification, habitats, diet and behaviour. Information on marine habitats, conservation zones and marine protected areas is also included.

With specially commissioned colour photographs taken in a number of unique locations, this is the essential companion for divers, snorkellers and underwater photographers visiting this area.

Contents

The North Sea and the English Channel
- A sea of seas
- The birth of the North Sea
- Tides and currents
- The habitats
- Supporting marine conservation
- Marine conservation in the North Sea
- Classification and nomenclature
- Key to symbols
- The animal groups
- External features of fishes
- Identification groups and pictorial guide to families

Fish
- Cartilaginous Fish (sharks and rays)
- Bony Fish or Teleosts (all other fish)

Other Vertebrates
Invertebrates
- Tunicates or Ascidians (Sea Squirts)
- Bryozoans (Phylum Bryozoa)
- Sponges (Phylum Porifera)
- Cnidarians (Phylum Cnidaria)
- Jellyfish and Ctenophores
- Worms
- Crustaceans (Subphylum Crustacea)
- Sea Hares and Sea Slugs (Nudibranchs)

Plants
- Seagrasses
- Lichens
- Algae

Glossary
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Lawson Wood is an underwater photographer and author, with more than 16,000 dives logged in all of the world's oceans. Known for his award-winning marine conservation work, Lawson is the founder of the first marine reserve in his native Scotland and a co-founder of the Marine Conservation Society. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He is the author and co-author of more than 50 books, including Marine Life of the Mediterranean.