Foreword
Dr. D. S. Henderson,
Chairman of the 1. L. B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology and Vice Chancellor of
Rhodes University
This book is a unique, international collaborative effort
of 76 scientists, representing 15 countries. Several skilled
artists and photographers have also contributed to the
numerous and beautiful illustrations. Research done in
South Africa was supported by the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research. Work on the book at the J.L.B.
Smith Institute was also funded by the Department of
National Education and The Trustees of the Sea Fishes of
Southern Africa Book Fund. Expenses of visits by ichthyologists from overseas were defrayed by a grant from the
John S. Schlesinger Foundation.
Although this book is an impressive contribution to the
zoology of southern Africa, few people will realise the
enormous amount of work that has gone into it. Prof. Margaret M. Smith has laboured for thirty years: first, to build
the foundation of the largest fish collection in Africa and the
comprehensive, superbly organised library necessary for
the research; second, to lead the project that produced the
book; and third, to participate in the actual research, writing, editing, production of most of the illustrations, and arranging all of the colour plates for the book. For the past
eight years, she has been assisted in the research, writing
and editing of the book by Dr. P. C. Heemstra.
It is essential for the proper management of the marine
fish resources of southern Africa that we know what species
we are dealing with. This book will greatly facilitate the
identification of our fishes. It will thus be of vital importance to the understanding and wise use of our tremendously
diverse and valuable fish fauna.
We are proud of the affiliation of the J.L.B. Smith Institute with Rhodes University and happy to see the successful
completion of this long-awaited work.
Dr. D. S. Henderson,
Chairman of the Institute and
Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University
1. P. de Wit,
Deputy President, CSIR
When J. L. B. Smith's monumental book The Sea Fishes
of Southern Africa was first published in 1949, the first
printing was sold out within three weeks. Due in large measure to the excellent and numerous illustrations (mostly by
Margaret Smith), the book has been extremely popular in
South Africa and also much in demand overseas. It has become an international ichthyological "classic" and is well
known in museums and marine laboratories all over the
world. In 1953 and 1961, J. L. B. Smith added a few additional species in appendices at the end of the book. Since
1961, many new species and new records of fishes have been
discovered in the seas off southern Africa. Also, recent
ichthyological research has considerably altered the classification of marine fishes. It thus became apparent that the
Sea Fishes book was in need of a thorough revision.
Prof. Margaret Smith and Dr P. C. Heemstra began work
on the revision in 1978. In view of the specialisation that has
taken place in ichthyology (as in science generally), it was
considered advisable to enlist the assistance of other
ichthyologists who are experts on the various families of
marine fishes represented in the seas of southern Africa.
This team effort has produced a uniquely authoritative and
comprehensive book on the marine fishes of southern Africa. To all of the many collaborators, we owe a debt of
gratitude for their unstinting efforts to provide the latest
and best fruits of their ichthyological research.
With this book, on which she laboured for over 15 years,
Margaret Smith has produced not only a worthy tribute to
her late husband's great achievements, but also a lasting
testimonial to her own dedication to the fulfilment of his
ideals.
Dr. D. S. Henderson,
Chairman of the 1. L. B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology and Vice Chancellor of
Rhodes University
This book is a unique, international collaborative effort
of 76 scientists, representing 15 countries. Several skilled
artists and photographers have also contributed to the
numerous and beautiful illustrations. Research done in
South Africa was supported by the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research. Work on the book at the J.L.B.
Smith Institute was also funded by the Department of
National Education and The Trustees of the Sea Fishes of
Southern Africa Book Fund. Expenses of visits by ichthyologists from overseas were defrayed by a grant from the
John S. Schlesinger Foundation.
Although this book is an impressive contribution to the
zoology of southern Africa, few people will realise the
enormous amount of work that has gone into it. Prof. Margaret M. Smith has laboured for thirty years: first, to build
the foundation of the largest fish collection in Africa and the
comprehensive, superbly organised library necessary for
the research; second, to lead the project that produced the
book; and third, to participate in the actual research, writing, editing, production of most of the illustrations, and arranging all of the colour plates for the book. For the past
eight years, she has been assisted in the research, writing
and editing of the book by Dr. P. C. Heemstra.
It is essential for the proper management of the marine
fish resources of southern Africa that we know what species
we are dealing with. This book will greatly facilitate the
identification of our fishes. It will thus be of vital importance to the understanding and wise use of our tremendously
diverse and valuable fish fauna.
We are proud of the affiliation of the J.L.B. Smith Institute with Rhodes University and happy to see the successful
completion of this long-awaited work.
Dr. D. S. Henderson,
Chairman of the Institute and
Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University
1. P. de Wit,
Deputy President, CSIR
When J. L. B. Smith's monumental book The Sea Fishes
of Southern Africa was first published in 1949, the first
printing was sold out within three weeks. Due in large measure to the excellent and numerous illustrations (mostly by
Margaret Smith), the book has been extremely popular in
South Africa and also much in demand overseas. It has become an international ichthyological "classic" and is well
known in museums and marine laboratories all over the
world. In 1953 and 1961, J. L. B. Smith added a few additional species in appendices at the end of the book. Since
1961, many new species and new records of fishes have been
discovered in the seas off southern Africa. Also, recent
ichthyological research has considerably altered the classification of marine fishes. It thus became apparent that the
Sea Fishes book was in need of a thorough revision.
Prof. Margaret Smith and Dr P. C. Heemstra began work
on the revision in 1978. In view of the specialisation that has
taken place in ichthyology (as in science generally), it was
considered advisable to enlist the assistance of other
ichthyologists who are experts on the various families of
marine fishes represented in the seas of southern Africa.
This team effort has produced a uniquely authoritative and
comprehensive book on the marine fishes of southern Africa. To all of the many collaborators, we owe a debt of
gratitude for their unstinting efforts to provide the latest
and best fruits of their ichthyological research.
With this book, on which she laboured for over 15 years,
Margaret Smith has produced not only a worthy tribute to
her late husband's great achievements, but also a lasting
testimonial to her own dedication to the fulfilment of his
ideals.