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would have been to use "Appendices 1--8" instead of "Annexes" for the book and leave the wording of the Convention intact. I t is to be hoped that this will be corrected in the next edition of this extremely useful, well- writ ten and well-organized book, which is a must for anyone interested in the practical impact of the Convention on the Law of the Sea on the political reality of today and tomorrow.

E. MANN BORGESE Department of Political Science

Dalhousie University Halifax, N.S. Canada B3H 4H6

FISHERIES TECHNIQUES

Fisheries Techniques . Larry A. Nielsen and David L. Johnson (Editors). American Fisheries Society, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814, U.S.A., 1983, 468 pp., price US$ 32.00, ISBN 0-913235-00-8.

Fisheries Research has a place on the bookshelf of every fisheries biologist and fisheries manager. This sweeping endorsement is not to say that this book represents a milestone in research or provides answers to those ques- tions that haunt us all. Simply, the value of this book is that it presents com- prehensive information regarding the fundamental aspects of fisheries biology and management in a logical and easily accessible form.

The editors state that their objective is to introduce students to the ways in which fisheries data are collected (and applied). Whilst readily admitting that each topic covered could easily warrant a book in its own right, the edi- tors and their 30-odd contributing authors have admirably succeeded in de- scribing the fundamental (and a few not so fundamental) techniques em- ployed by fisheries biologists and managers.

Twenty-four chapters, covering a necessarily broad range of topics, as ex- emplified by "Sampling Considerations", "Finding Literature and Repor ts" , "Aquatic Habitat Measurements", "Fish Eggs and Larvae", "Tagging and Marking", "Age Determinat ion" and "Economic Considerations for Fisheries Management", are arranged in logical sequence and are well connected. In- formation on the collection, processing and application of data in a partic- ular field is given in a manner which allows the s tudent a thorough apprecia- tion of the subject. As an example, the chapter "Age Determinat ion" com- prises segments dealing with approaches to age determination, ageing termi- nology, collection and preparation of anatomical structures, ageing proce- dures, validation, back-calculation, and age determination from size-frequen- cy distribution, for both fish and bivalves. Many chapters, such as "Finding Literature and Repor t s" and "Tagging and Marking", contain information that should prove useful long after one's s tudent days are past. An extensive

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reference list at the end of each chapter provides a sound basis for further investigation.

Although essentially taking an int roductory "how t o " approach, Fisheries Techniques contains a smattering of philosophy along the lines of "is this research really necessary" and "who should be served by fisheries research". Emphasis is placed on the justification of research and on deciding which questions need to be answered before planning a strategy of research. This accompanying theme will be appreciated by more thoughtful students, and may serve as a reminder to those professionally involved in fisheries biology or management.

Published by the American Fisheries Society, the numerous examples cited are, not surprisingly, American. However, this in no way detracts from the value of the book in its Australian application. Rather, it serves to illustrate the possibilities that exist when state, federal and private institu- tions cooperate and combine resources.

Fisheries Techniques succeeds in fulfilling its editors objectives in prov- iding a highly useful text and source of reference for students and, as such, deserves recommendat ion. Further, this book should be a valuable asset to professionals in the fields of fisheries research and management, providing an overview of the f ramework of which their own interests form a part, and a ready introduct ion to new areas of investigation.

JOHN THOROGOOD 37 Darryl Place

Gymea Bay N.S. W. 2227, Australia

FIBRE ROPES

Fibre ropes for fishing gear (FAO Fishing Manuals) by Gerhard Klust. Fishing News Books, Farnham, Surrey, Gt. Britain, 1983, 199 pp., 62 illustrations, 41 tables, 252 references, price £9.50, ISBN-0-85238-123-9.

This is an excellent manual on the technology of cordage, with particular reference to its use in commercial fishing gear. It is a handy collection of information which is otherwise scattered throughout the technical, trade and manufacturers ' literature. It starts with terms and definitions relating to textile technology, rope technology and fishing gear technology. The properties of various natural and synthetic fibres used to make cordage are discussed. The various constructions of ropes used in fishing gear, in- cluding combinat ion ropes, are described and their various characteristics as exploited in fishing gear are detailed. A special chapter is devoted to the proper handling and care of cordage, and a considerable number of examples is given illustrating the selection of fibre type and rope construction to