The Billfish Story: Swordfish Sailfish Marlin and Other Gladiators of the Sea

About this book

The billfish is fixed at the apex of the oceanic food chain. Composed of sailfish marlin spearfish and swordfish they roam the pelagic waters of the Atlantic and are easily recognized by their long spear-like beaks. Noted for their speed size and acrobatic jumps billfish have for centuries inspired a broad spectrum of society. Even in antiquity Aristotle who assiduously studied the swordfish named this gladiator of the sea xiphiasthe sword. The Billfish Story tells the saga of this unique group of fish and those who have formed bonds with themrelationships forged by anglers biologists charter-boat captains and conservationists through their pursuit study and protection of these species. More than simply reciting important discoveries Stan Ulanski argues passionately that billfish occupy a position of unique importance in our culture as a nexus linking natural and human history. Ulanski both a scientist and an angler brings a rich background to the subject in a multifaceted approach that will enrich not only readers appreciation of billfish but the whole of the natural world.