ABSTRACT
The idea that historical sources can significantly enrich our understanding of marine animal population dynamics has gained recognition in recent years. This is not an altogether new approach, however, for during the 19th century a number of scholars produced studies that would now be cast in the mould of historical ecology. Although their works were few in number, they warrant investigation because of their contemporary novelty – none were fully accepted by the scientific community of their day – and their relevance to the current surge of interest in holistic approaches to fisheries management.
