Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras of California [Paperback]

This guide is the only complete reference to the sharks, rays, and chimaeras found in California's waters from the intertidal zone to 500 miles offshore.

Species accounts give information on habitat and range, natural history, interactions with humans, nomenclature, and further references

68 beautiful color illustrations show each shark, ray, and chimaera; accompanying line drawings highlight differences in teeth, underside of the head, and egg cases

Includes information on the California marine environment, ecology and conservation, and shark biology

David A. Ebertis Program Manager of the Pacific Shark Research Center at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and author ofGuide to the Sharks and Rays of Southern Africa(1989, with L.J.V. Comapagno and M.J. Smale).

Ebert has herein assembled an enormous body of knowledge about California's 43 shark species ranging from shark and human behavior to taxonomic minutiae, along with up-to-date explanations of their ecology, status and fisheries. More importantly, his Herculean effort includes the often-overlooked 25 species of skates, rays and chimaeras. That, along with the fine illustrations of Mat Squillante, should answer any question that a student, diver, natural history buff, or recreational or commercial fisher might ask. John E. McCosker, coauthor ofGreat White Shark

The timing of this publication is ideal given the status of some of California's elasmobranch populations and the need for a deeper understanding of their biology, ecology, and fishery management. The book is a comprehensive treatmentif one wants to find out the latest information on any species of shark or ray off California, this is the place to go. An outstanding work! Gregor M. Cailliet, Professor, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and Director, Pacific Shark Research Center