Fish and Amphibians

The life of marine creatures is fascinating and has always been closely linked to human life. This is so particularly because fishing has been the livelihood of islanders through the years. Yet for some time, in many areas of the world—such as Nha Trang Bay, on the south coast of Vietnam—this activity has been in a state of crisis. In Nha Trang Bay the growth of outside investment in aquaculture has limited the economic opportunities of the local population, including fishing for squid and other species in the reefs with hook and line. In other cases, commercial fishing endangers the future of those who rely on traditional fishing methods to make a living. This is only one of the topics explored in this book, which also relates in detail many secrets of these vertebrates, which were among the first creatures with skeletons to appear on the Earth. Perhaps knowing more about their habits and modes of life may move us to care for them and protect them. They are at the mercy of variations in water conditions to a greater extent than humans.