'Erich Hoyt's handbook is an admirable, timely and highly welcome contribution.'Michael Stachowitsch, Marine EcologyWhat does it mean to save the whales if their habitat is left unprotected? Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises is the definitive handbook on this pressing issue and the first to bridge the gap between the disciplines of marine protected areas and cetacean conservation. It launches a new chapter in cetacean conservation with its investigation into the crucial habitat needs and protection requirements of some 84 species.The author, one of the world's foremost experts in this field, takes you around the world to investigate the promising results of the latest conservation research and the strategies for obtaining marine protected areas in coastal waters and on the high seas, using national legislation and regional and international conventions. This is an essential introduction, guide and reference work for those working to ensure a future for whales and dolphins.

'Erich Hoyt's handbook is an admirable, timely and highly welcome contribution.' Michael Stachowitsch, Marine Ecology What does it mean to save the whales if their habitat is left unprotected? Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises is the definitive handbook on this pressing issue and the first to bridge the gap between the disciplines of marine protected areas and cetacean conservation. It launches a new chapter in cetacean conservation with its investigation into the crucial habitat needs and protection requirements of some 84 species. The author, one of the world's foremost experts in this field, takes you around the world to investigate the promising results of the latest conservation research and the strategies for obtaining marine protected areas in coastal waters and on the high seas, using national legislation and regional and international conventions. This is an essential introduction, guide and reference work for those working to ensure a future for whales and dolphins.

The first edition of the widely praised Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, published in 2005, led to numerous new marine protected area proposals and a number of notable conservation successes around the world. In this completely revised and expanded second edition, new developments in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific are described, as well as future directions for High Seas protection. New sections show how to design and manage MPAs in an ever noisier ocean subject to climate change, increased shipping and hydrocarbon exploration. The process of protected area creation for cetaceans has been accelerated and more than 200 exciting new places are detailed in this edition. This book provides a route map for MPA managers, as well as countries, to meet the ambitious targets for highly protected MPA networks by 2012 and 2020. This book is a key conservation tool and a springboard for worldwide change in human attitudes toward the world ocean where all life originated and where the majority of life on Earth still lives.

European Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises: Marine Mammal Conservation in Practice presents an intimate view of the workings of international conservation agreements to protect marine mammals, detailing achievements over the last 25 years, identifying weaknesses and making recommendations that governments, scientists, marine stakeholders and the public can take to improve conservation efforts. The book is written by an experienced marine mammal scientist and award-winning conservationist, providing a unique synthesis on their status, distribution and ecology. In addition, it presents information on various conservation threats, including fisheries by catch, contaminants, noise disturbance, plastic ingestion and climate change. This comprehensive resource will appeal to marine mammal conservationists and researchers, as well as environmental and wildlife practitioners at all levels. - Offers an accessible review on how scientists study this challenging group of mammals to gather necessary evidence for conservation action - Illustrates, with striking images, all recorded regional species, including distribution maps, key threats and specific research methods - Includes contributions from leading scientists, conservationists, and members of government and international bodies, like IWC and UNEP

In this updated edition, award-winning author and whale researcher Erich Hoyt takes readers into the field for an intimate encounter with 93 species of cetaceans that make their homes in the world's oceans, rivers and lakes. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience and a comprehensive familiarity with the current revolution in cetacean studies, Hoyt provides unique insights into the life histories of whales. This new edition features descriptions of three new whale and dolphin species, along with the latest discoveries about cetacean biology and behavior, from the physical differences and adaptations among the baleen and toothed whales to their highly intelligent hunting and feeding methods. Uncovered in fascinating detail are the courtship and mating practices, family relationships and the lifelong bonds among some family members. The symphonic composer of the whale world is the humpback whale, whose complex 30-minute songs reverberate across the liquid universe of the ocean. Current research reveals that blue, fin, bowhead and other whales also sing, mostly in tones below human hearing. Using sound for navigation, some whales hunt in deep, high pressure waters while others negotiate migrations across entire ocean basins. Thoroughly updated to reflect the latest findings, this book is perfect for anyone curious about the cetacean world. Budding whale students will gain insights on how to research whales, dolphins and porpoises as well as how to save at-risk species and their increasingly damaged habitat. Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises includes: detailed profiles of 93 current species of cetaceans (3 more than in the previous edition) the story of the newly discovered Sato's beaked whale, a small black whale from the North Pacific related to the Baird's beaked whale fascinating sidebars that bring to life cetacean society and culture an enlightening discussion of the differences between dolphins and porpoises new information on the history and impact of whaling illustrations of each species by renowned artist Uko Gorter, including the three new species named in the past five years color photographs by world-famous marine photographer Brandon Cole, among others.