Fish Research Pioneer Francis Christy Dies

July 17, 2009 By: Marshall Cutchin

Fly fisher and fisheries management expert Francis T. Christy, whose 1965 book The Common Wealth in Ocean Fisheries: Some Problems of Growth and Economic Allocation (co-authored with Anthony Scott) marked a launching point for increased awareness of the dangers of unsustainable commercial fishing, died on June 19. “Mr. Christy’s research and publications on international fisheries management and ocean conservation played a major role in the 1982 U.N. Law of the Sea treaty. His work helped outline the guidelines and definitions for nations’ rights and responsibilities for use of the world’s oceans.” T. Rees Shapiro in The Washington Post.