What is the UW Fish Collection and why keep so many dead fishes?
The UW Fish Collection is one of the very few, and by far the largest, repository of ichthyological materials from the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. It provides the essential tools for systematic research on fishes in this part of the world, but more generally, it is used by researchers throughout the world, who either visit or request information or loans of material. They might be studying taxonomy, systematics, comparative anatomy, food habits, reproductive biology, distribution, ecology, conservation, art, archaeology, or any one of a variety of other subjects. Many dozens of telephone calls and emails are received each year requesting data from preserved specimens, identification of material, or advice and information on any ichthyological matter. Enquiries are received from scientists, students, members of the general public, local authorities, public health officers, law enforcement agencies, anthropologists, archaeologists, seafood companies, restaurant owners, artists, a
