Lecture Archive: Richard Ellis

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Posted: August 1, 2013

Lecture date: June 13, 2013.

Richard Ellis discussed the broadbill swordfish, whose scientific name Xiphias gladius means “gladiator.” It gets its common name from its smooth, flattened sword that is much longer and wider than that of any other billfish. Among the world’s premier game fishes, swordfish are eagerly sought as trophies and as seafood. A drastic reduction in swordfish populations as a result of longline fishing practices engendered a swordfish boycott by American restaurants. Ellis’ latest book is Swordfish: A Biography of the Ocean Gladiator.

Video Posted: August 1, 2013 | Running time: 58:41

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