376 Book reviews

as it is based totally on Japanese experiences, 'Japanese eel culture' as the title of the book would have been better justified.

Several problems encountered in eel culture are discussed and their practical (or possible) solutions indicated. Of special interest are the small tips to overcome problems, e.g. Brachionus density rising above 3 per microscope field calls for complete change of water, using borewell water for elver tanks to ensure purity, etc.

The review on mysteries of eel migration, based only on Scmidt's work, is rather incomplete. One expected the book to cover work done at Liverpool University by Sinha in unshrouding several mysteries of eel biology such as sex identification, sex distribution in fresh water and brackish water and controversial migrations in the Atlantic, and also the relationship with trout and salmon etc. (Sinha, 1969; Sinha and Jones, 1966, 1967a,b, 1975). It is also disappointing not to see Deelder's (1984) FAO Fisheries Synopsis cited.

The language is simple and lucid. The printing and production quality are good, and the photographs are excellent and add to the value of the book. Thus, the book is highly recommended to all those who are concerned with any aspect of eel culture and trade, and also to those who are involved in aquaculture research and development, both in the tropics and in the temperate regions of the world. Considering the binding, illustrations and printing, the price of the book is not high.

References

Deelder, C.L. (1984) Synopsis of biological data on the eel (Anguilla anguilla). EA. O. Fish. Synop. No. 80, rev. 1.

Sinha, V.R.P. (1969) A note on the feeding of larger eels Anguilla anguilla. J. Fish Biol. 1, 279-83. Sinha, V.R.P. and Jones, J.W. (1966) On the sex and distribution of the freshwater eel AnguiUa

anguilla. J. ZooL, Lond. 153, 99-117. Sinha, V.R.P. and Jones, J.W. (1967a) On the food of the freshwater eels and their feeding relation-

ship with salmonids. J. ZooL, Lond. 153, 199-237. Sinha, V.R.P. and Jones, J.W. (1967b) The Atlantic eel problem. Proc. Br. Coarse Fish. Conf. 3, 70-73. Sinha, V.R.P. and Jones, J.W. (1975) The European Freshwater EeL Liverpool: Liverpool University

Press. 146 pp.

V.R.P. SINHA Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Bombay

Eutrophication of Fresh Waters: Principles, Problems and Restoration D. Harper Chapman & Hall, London, 1992 ISBN 0-412-32970-0, £35.00 Hard cover, pp. viii + 327, 21 tables, 110 figures

Whilst the eutrophication of lakes, reservoirs, rivers and coastal waters is widely supposed to be no longer a problem, at least in terms of explanative description, the practical tasks of managing or even reversing the causal nutrient enrichment and the respondent biological overproduction are as obdurately daunting as ever. These difficulties are not assisted, moreover, by the fact that the previous research findings have largely been distilled to a few, oversimplifying equations, and that these tend to be misapplied. David

Book reviews 377

Harper's book represents a genuine attempt to provide, firstly, a perspective to the conceptual framework, history and experimental investigation of the problem and, secondly, a factual basis upon which he founds workable and effective schemes to restore water bodies to an erstwhile quality. It also seeks a non-specialist approach, to introduce the field to the working water scientist or engineer whose training has not covered all relevant disciplines, and which has a general appeal to students of limnology.

In large measure, the book succeeds in meeting its objectives. It is factual, very readable and is wide ranging and well balanced in its treatment. So far as the majority of readers of Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries are concerned, it is welcome to see the effects of eutrophication on fish and other aquatic animals given parity of treatment with the chemical, botanical, public health and engineering aspects. Indeed, these topics occupy four of the eight chapters. They are preceded by one defining eutrophication and which provides a timely reminder that eutrophication is a natural ageing process; it is cultural acceleration that is the problem. Of particular current interest is the sixth chapter on approaches to simulating and predicting the causes and effects of eutrophication; the seventh is a practical guide to techniques for management. It does not advocate the removal of phosphorus in every instance (which would work if you could do enough, spend enough and wait long enough) but, for difficult waters, dwells on workable alternatives to managing the biomass production.

The eighth chapter is a delightful review by Geoff Phillips which summarizes the deterioration of the Norfolk Broads, mainly (though not exclusively) through eutrophi- cation, the investigations that were undertaken and the management techniques devel- oped and applied to some remarkable restorations: a case in point where nutrient control was ineffectual but management of the community structure (or biomanipulation) has been successfully employed.

The book is well organized, competently printed and fairly free from typographical error. It is well referenced (over 680 citations) up to the mid-eighties, with a sprinkling of recent key references. It is a welcome addition to the literature, and it will be well used for a number of years to come.

COLIN REYNOLDS

Institute of Freshwater Ecology Windermere Laboratory, UK

Infectious Diseases of Fish (translation of Sakana no Kansensh6, Koseisha Koseikaku Co. Ltd, Tokyo; general editor Dr V.S. Kothekar) Shuzo Egusa A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 1992 ISBN 90-6191-180-X, Dfl 165.00, £52.00 Cloth, pp. xxiv + 696, 58 tables, 395 figures (20 in colour)

The study of fish diseases has grown enormously in recent years and it is almost impossible for workers in the field to have a knowledge of the research carded out in the various specialized branches. The author has attempted to provide a comprehensive book on a broad range of fish diseases. He has succeeded in producing a highly detailed book which will be of great value to specialist fish pathologists as well as a valuable reference source for scientists in fisheries and aquaculture. In his preface, the author admits that the book took a considerable time to put together, and there are some signs of this in slight