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.

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.

John E. Reynolds III's profile page

William F. Perrin's profile page

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

Randall R. Reeves' profile page

Suzanne Montgomery's profile page

Timothy J. Ragen's profile page

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

"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

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

Quarterly Review of Biology

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

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