Marine Mammal Research

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

• ISBN13: 9780801882555
• ISBN10: 0801882559
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-10-12
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr

Summary

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.

Author Biography

John E. Reynolds III is chairman of the Marine Mammal Commission and the senior scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory. William F. Perrin is a senior scientist with the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, adjunct professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and editor emeritus of Marine Mammal Science. Randall R. Reeves is one of the Okapi Wildlife Associates, the author of several books, and chair of the IUCN Cetacean Specialists Group. Suzanne Montgomery is a staff scientist, and Timothy J. Ragen is director of research, at the Marine Mammal Commission.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
The Paradox of Marine Mammal Science and Conservation	1	(4)
John E. Reynolds III
Bycatch and Depredation	5	(14)
Andrew J. Read
Indirect Fishery Interactions	19	(28)
Eva E. Plaganyi
Doug S. Butterworth
The Role of Infectious Disease in Influencing Status and Trends	47	(16)
Frances M. D. Gulland
Ailsa J. Hall
Assessing Impacts of Environmental Contaminants	63	(22)
Todd M. O'Hara
Thomas J. O'Shea
Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms	85	(16)
Frances M. Van Dolah
Impacts of Anthropogenic Sound	101	(24)
John Hildebrand
Assessing and Managing Marine Mammal Habitat in the United States	125	(12)
Timothy J. Ragen
Long-Term Environmental Change and Marine Mammals	137	(12)
Sue E. Moore
Identifying Units to Conserve	149	(16)
Barbara L. Taylor
Adapting Regulatory Protection to Cope with Future Change	165	(14)
Daniel Goodman
Future Directions in Marine Mammal Research	179	(6)
Timothy J. Ragen
Randall R. Reeves
John E. Reynolds III
William F. Perrin
Literature Cited	185	(30)
Contributors	215	(2)
Index	217