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.