Marine Mammal Research: Conservation beyond Crisis

by Timothy J. Ragen, John E. Reynolds III, William F. Perrin, Randall R. Reeves, Suzanne Montgomery

Overview

Marine mammal conservation presents a number of challenges for scientists and other stakeholders, especially using natural resources in ways that avoid crisis management. Scientists play the special role of providing vital information to decision makers to help them understand long-term consequences of their actions and avoid crises before they develop. The contributors to this visionary work look beyond the current crises to present a compelling argument about how science, if conducted properly, can provide insights that minimize crisis management and implement more anticipatory action.

Despite the significant reduction of marine mammal harvesting, stocks of some species remain greatly reduced or are in decline. This volume provides an overview of the current state of marine mammal populations and identifies the major obstacles facing marine mammal conservation, including fisheries, sonar and other noise pollution, disease, contaminants, algal booms, and habitat loss. The contributors chart a scientifically-supported plan to direct marine management toward a well-defined recovery protocol.

This comprehensive resource will be indispensable for marine mammal biologists, oceanographers, conservation program managers, government regulators, policy makers, and anyone who is concerned about the future of these captivating species.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801882555
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	11/18/2005
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.84(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John E. Reynolds III is the senior scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory's Manatee Research Program and the former chair of the US Marine Mammal Commission. He is the coeditor of Marine Mammal Research: Conservation beyond Crisis and the coauthor of Mysterious Manatees.

Randall R. Reeves is one of the Okapi Wildlife Associates, the author of several books, and chair of the IUCN Cetacean Specialists Group.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. The Paradox of Marine Mammal Science and Conservation
2. Bycatch and Depredation
3. Indirect Fishery Interactions
4. The Role of Infectious Disease in Influencing Status and Trends
5. Assessing Impacts of Environmental Contaminants
6. Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms
7. Impacts of Anthropogenic Sound
8. Assessing and Managing Marine Mammal Habitat in the United States
9. Long-Term Environmental Change and Marine Mammals
10. Identifying Units to Conserve
11. Adapting Regulatory Protection to Cope with Future Change
12. Future Directions in Marine mammal Research
Literature Cited
Contributors
Index

What People are Saying About This

James Mead

"This book deserves prominent placement on the shelf of anyone who cares about the future of marine mammals. It covers all the major conservation issues of our day and defines a research agenda that should be embraced wherever marine mammals occur. A worthy successor to Twiss and Reeves, we now have Marine Mammal Research as our touchstone for the challenges that face us."

From the Publisher

This book deserves prominent placement on the shelf of anyone who cares about the future of marine mammals. It covers all the major conservation issues of our day and defines a research agenda that should be embraced wherever marine mammals occur. A worthy successor to Twiss and Reeves, we now have Marine Mammal Research as our touchstone for the challenges that face us.
—James Mead, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History

Editorial Reviews

Should appeal to a wide variety of libraries and readers . . . interested in marine biology and conservation of those captivating animals.
—Choice

A thoughtfully written and edited compendium . . . it deserves to be on the shelf of every serious marine mammalogist researcher, and should become well-thumbed.
—Aquatic Mammalogy

The book superbly covers some of the most important conservation issues of marine mammals.
—Bernd Wursig, Quarterly Review of Biology

An essential book for marine mammal researchers, oceanographers, regulators, and anyone called to help in the effort to save marine mammals from extinction.
—Southeastern Naturalist

A very valuable compendium of state-of-the-art scientific knowledge . . . A must in the bibliographic luggage of anyone concerned with marine mammal conservation, regardless of nationality or region of concern.
—Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Fins

From the Publisher

Should appeal to a wide variety of libraries and readers . . . interested in marine biology and conservation of those captivating animals.

Choice

The book superbly covers some of the most important conservation issues of marine mammals.

Quarterly Review of Biology - Bernd Wursig

A thoughtfully written and edited compendium . . . it deserves to be on the shelf of every serious marine mammalogist researcher, and should become well-thumbed.

Aquatic Mammalogy

A very valuable compendium of state-of-the-art scientific knowledge . . . A must in the bibliographic luggage of anyone concerned with marine mammal conservation, regardless of nationality or region of concern.

Fins - Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara

An essential book for marine mammal researchers, oceanographers, regulators, and anyone called to help in the effort to save marine mammals from extinction.

Southeastern Naturalist

A very valuable compendium of state-of-the-art scientific knowledge... A must in the bibliographic luggage of anyone concerned with marine mammal conservation, regardless of nationality or region of concern.

— Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara

Fins

The book superbly covers some of the most important conservation issues of marine mammals.

— Bernd Wursig

Quarterly Review of Biology