A World Withour Fish

Mark Kurlansky's book, A World Without Fish is a warning of the devastation of our oceans perpetrated by commercial fishing and pollution.  Punctuated with comic strips about the naturalist Kram and his daughter, Ailat, this book first outlines the problem of quickly disappearing fish species, then Kurlansky describes how these fish became scarce.  Finally, Kurlansky gives some advice on slowing down the devastation of the seas.

Frank Stockton's comic strips and full color illustrations make this a graphically inviting book.  Changes in the font and size of print emphasize important points.  Kurlansky also includes archival photos within the text.  A Resources list at the end gives young activists all the information they need to start a movement to reclaim the oceans.

A scary book, this, and discouraging at times!  Kurlansky does his best to be fair to the various groups involved in the plundering of the seas.  He champions fishermen, who warned of disappearing species long before scientists did.  The one thing I wish he had added was a bibliography but his resource list gives some links to further research.

I am going to have trouble eating fish, now that I know what happens to the seas to get those fish to my table.  Kurlansky gives a list of fish to avoid (Never eat sharks!  he tells us.)  So, perhaps, if I am very careful, I can enjoy fish and not further the destruction of our oceans.