Fish ID/Species

Initially, I will be looking at ABU's attempts to encourage education and identification of European fish by fishermen. This was very forward thinking action for these days, as conservation issues, protected species, bag limits, zonings and fishing seasons were not really big issues for governments or people in general. Here we see good decisions being made by ABU  management ahead of their time. Even though some attempts at introducing new fish species, such as the black bass,  were to fail, much more good was done than the damage occurring. Back in the sixties, we even see discussion of fish farming, in the wonderful ABU catalogues.

Obviously I won't have access to the useful information about all these continents and I would appreciate anyone with sufficient knowledge to contribute their ides and photographs to help. These are not necessarily addressed by ABU but still as ABU fans and practicing fishermen/fisherwomen it would be useful to share this knowledge for those of use who aspire to travel and fish the world. I have made many friends here through this website and Guestbook who have been welcomed to fish with me on my area of the Great Barrier Reef , Queensland AUSTRALIA and similarly, I know I am very welcome, when time and money permit, to fish other locations in the world with new friends.

My favourite old Australian Document related to fish species is the SOLVOL booklet!

I have now finished with this book (click on Solvol above) so if someone feels it could go to a new home, please advise what you will trade for it.

The ABU Identifish series of wall charts seem to cover the developed western world although there are other areas covered, not through the Identifish series, rather by Dream Trips Prizes and individual articles which I am still discovering as I complete my catalogue collection. The pelagic type of fish that roam the world's oceans are also covered in the Identifish series. These are in my new book The ABU Legacy to be released sometime in 2010.

In time, more will be documented here, hopefully with the contributions of others.

World Pelagic Species:  Game fish Species Part 1, Part 2, Part 3,  

ABU Identifish Dictionary provides more details of 13 species matched to Fishing Type 1, 2 3, or 4 matched tackle. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and even more detail is provided on these particular fish Salmon 1, 2, 3 ; Pike 1, 2, 3 ; Bass 1, 2, 3, 4; and Roach 1, 2, 3 ; singled out for special in-depth study.

European and North American Fish:  General Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Asian: From ABU Catalogue "The Mighty Manseer",   Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Mr Kinzo and Kyo  have submitted some magnificent photos of a wonderful Salomoid fish called an Ito, peculiar to his area in Japan, along with Japanese char and grass carp. Photo 1,  Photo 2,  Photo 3, Photo 4, Photo 5

African: More Personal Contributions sought

South American: Contributions coming soon!

Special cases are located in Fish Conservation Page

More Vic McCristal ...on Identifying species

If anyone has the interest in (perhaps you are travelling there)  and the couple of months spare to read the material from this link, they will be very well rewarded. It is topical, conservation-minded and holds some truly wonderful articles that not only inform, but give one cause for concern for the fisheries of the world. Scope is also beyond Africa, as I have seen Australian and Chilean information.