The Conservation Of Whales And Dolphins

1439 words - 6 pages

The Conservation of Whales and Dolphins: Science and Practice, edited by Mark P. Simmons and Judith D. Hutchinson, is a book I have decided to utilize as a foundation piece for my final paper. This book contains in-depth information from multiple authors, compiled in chapter format. The compilations discuss many global issues revolving around the cetacean species, such as the protection and conservation of these water mammals and the various ways that they are endangered or harmed. This book also contains information about numerous international organizations and departments that regulate and maintain whaling laws and marine-life policies. An accredited author, often holding a degree in marine or cetacean biology or the head of one of the departments or organizations mentioned, writes each section or chapter. This book is an excellent source to use as background for my researched argument paper, because it contains up-to-date historical background on whaling and the numerous, international conservation efforts put in place.
This book opens with an introduction, giving general information about whales and dolphins. Written to provide a comprehensive review of not only all of the threats to whales, but also efforts and initiatives that are working to reverse the problems the cetacean species faces. From this very basic outline of traits and qualities of these marine mammals, an understanding is reached that helps the next portions of the book make more sense in context. This book does an excellent job of illustrating how there are many overarching reasons why the decline of this species is due to natural causes as well as other human caused reasons. The presentation of the biological reasons shows the scientific aspect of why cetaceans are a delicate species.
Following this explanation is one of how whales are affected by mankind, which is presented in factual rather than biased way. There are many primary threats, which greatly affect these animals. Hunting is the largest and most well known threat to whales and dolphins but some of the lesser known threats include: accidental capture by fishing, pollution or destruction of habitats and culling operations. It states with large amounts of detail the various ethics of whaling and goes into chapter-by-chapter descriptions of the various reasons why whale and dolphin populations are rapidly declining, as previously stated in the paragraphs above. The book concludes on a lighter note, explaining several efforts of trying to conserve the populations and habitats of these animals, and other plans of action that may help the cetacean species altogether. One of the other purposes of this book is to show that there although there are many problems, there are many efforts to help protect these water animals. The majority of these efforts tend to come from international organizations that have precedence when it comes to making laws or regulations for the conservation of marine life. Many...

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