Sharks! The very mention of the word conjures up images of dangerous creatures with a voracious appetite. This public image couldn't be farther from the truth for a vast majority of shark species: most are cautious and placid, and many inhabit waters that exclude them from human contact. Much fear of sharks is driven by media reports or films that sensationalize shark attacks, despite the rarity of such occurrences. So much about sharks, and their relatives, makes them fascinating, and we still have much to learn. This book is for everyone interested in learning more about sharks and their relatives. It provides the most accurate and up-to-date information on chondrichthyans in British Columbia waters, including detailed species descriptions and identification information. Sharks, Skates, Rays and Chimeras of British Columbia presents sharks and their relatives as valuable members of our coastal fish community, worthy of respect, study, admiration and protection.