Eels: An Exploration, from New Zealand to the Sargasso, of the World's Most Mysterious Fish in Science and Inquiry

Nov 17, 2012 Jacqueline Quackenbush rated it really liked it

Shelves: science

This book was very different than I was expecting, which was a mostly science orientated book. In contrast, this book, while highlighting the basics of known biology of the eel, such as its unique habit of spawning in salt water while living out its life in fresh water, is more greatly focused on the cultural and economic significance these creature have towards various people.

Now, despite being different than I expected, I did enjoy this book. It follows the quest of the author to learn more This book was very different than I was expecting, which was a mostly science orientated book. In contrast, this book, while highlighting the basics of known biology of the eel, such as its unique habit of spawning in salt water while living out its life in fresh water, is more greatly focused on the cultural and economic significance these creature have towards various people.

Now, despite being different than I expected, I did enjoy this book. It follows the quest of the author to learn more about the natural history of the eel, a fish widely misunderstood, reviled, worshipped and eaten throughout the world. Living in the modern world like we do I think most people labor under the misconception that we know pretty much all there is to know about…well, everything. I think this is exactly why I liked this book; it very clearly demonstrates how little we have yet to learn about a fish that is such an integral part of many different peoples’ lives in various capacities which is an important concept for people to understand. It’s this very knowledge that spurs investigation and research in new generations, something we sorely need. In addition to that, the quest for the currently unknown spawning grounds of the eel is set against the backdrop of differing cultural opinions. While people like the Maori find such information unimportant, some scientists have dedicated hundreds of hours trying to solve the mystery. Which perspective is right? Should we seek out this knowledge for its own sake and, possibly in future, have it stored away to help save this diminishing fish? Or should we simply leave it be? Regardless of any personal opinion, these are important questions to ask and should be more widely discussed in scientific circles.

My only complaint would be that despite the author not being himself a scientist, it would not have taken much more research to include a bit more scientific information to put the eel in a better ecological, and not solely cultural, perspective. After being shown the importance the eel has for native people of nature based faiths and the economic importance it holds for people like the Taiwanese fish salesman, Johnathan, the declining population of the eel really strikes home for the reader. This is no longer the possible extinction of an obscure and weird fish but the possible disappearance of a creature vastly important to many people. That being said, when one species goes extinct, or even simply declines, there are always a host of ecological effects that follow. But this is not discussed at all. Yes, the book is about eels, but just as the eels have significance for people that make it important to save, it also has importance to other species within its ecosystem and I think the book would have been much more well-rounded had such information been included.

All in all, it is an entertaining and easy read that has a lot to offer readers. If you have the opportunity, definitely give it a try.

This review is also posted here: http://theacademicjawa.com/?p=291
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Jun 13, 2012 Leilani rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nature

Prosek mixes a little bit of eel science with lots of stories about eel-obsessed people, traveling to New Zealand and Micronesia to find out more about eel cultural traditions. I enjoyed reading all this new-to-me information about far-off people, but would have found it more compelling if there had been a bit more of the science behind all those giant eels in ponds, nosing people, coming up to the surface to be fed, and making eerie crying sounds.

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