MSMS 6109 - Marine Mammal Observation and Management

Marine Mammal Physiology by Michael A. Castellini (Editor); Jo-Ann Mellish (Editor) Suppose you were designing a marine mammal. What would you need to think about to allow it to live in the ocean? How would you keep it warm? What would you design to allow it to dive for very long periods to extreme depths? Where would it find water to drink? How would you minimize the cost of swimming, and how would it find its prey in the deep and dark? These questions and more are examined in detail throughout this book.

Whales, Dolphins, and Other Marine Mammals of the World by Hadoram Shirihai; Brett Jarrett (Illustrator) This breathtakingly beautiful book brings readers nose-to-nose with all of the world's marine mammals-a comprehensive line-up of remarkable whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, walruses, otters, polar bears, dugongs, and manatees. A highly practical field guide, it combines state-of-the-art illustrations with superb color photographs and detailed maps. The book highlights key field marks and clearly summarizes the types of behaviors that marine-mammal watchers may observe. Where other guides settle for static or wooden images and descriptions, this one comes to life with the kind of detailed text and stunning photos that make for a go-to reference guide. Armed with this book, any observer anywhere in the world should be able to identify the marine mammals they encounter. A go-to field guide to all of the world's marine mammals Contains key field marks and summaries of behavior Over 450 stunning color photos 124 color maps Over 500 beautiful new illustrations An exquisite blend of text, illustrations, and photos, harmonized for practical field usage Suitable for both amateurs and seasoned professionals

Marine Mammal Observer & Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook by Victoria Todd; Ian Todd; Erica Morrin; Jane Gardiner; Phillip J. Clapham (Foreword by) Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook is the ultimate instruction manual for mitigation measures to minimise man-made acoustical and physical disturbances to marine mammals from industrial and defence activities. Based on more than two decades of offshore experience, and a decade of supplying MMO and PAM services (commercial and scientific), the Handbook is a long-overdue reference guide that seeks to improve standards worldwide for marine operations such as seismic and drilling exploration, wind farm and civil engineering piling, dredging, trenching, rock-dumping, hydrographical surveys, and military/defence exercises. By popular request, this manual will also form an accompaniment to MMO and PAM courses. The Handbook consolidates all aspects of this discipline into one easily accessible resource, to educate all stakeholders (e.g. MMOs, PAM operators, suppliers, recruitment agencies, clients, contractors, regulators, NGOs, consultants, scientists, academia and media), regardless of experience. Topics include worldwide legislation, compliance, anthropogenic noise sources and potential effects, training, offshore life, visual and acoustic monitoring (theory and practice), marine mammal distribution, hearing and vocalisations, and report writing. Advice is provided on implementing sensible and practical mitigation techniques, appropriate technologies, data collection, client and regulator liaison, and project kick-off meetings. "The Handbook is an indispensable How To guide to the growing and increasingly important occupation of marine mammal monitoring, written with clarity and humor by scientists who have extensive experience in this field." --Dr Phillip J. Clapham, world-renowned cetologist and Director of the Cetacean Assessment and Ecology Program at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle.

Guide to Marine Mammals and Turtles of the U.S. Pacific by Kate Wynne

Whales and Dolphins by Philippa Brakes (Editor); Mark Peter Simmonds (Editor) Whales and dolphins are icons for the conservation movement. They are the most conspicuous ambassadors for entire marine ecosystems and possibly even for the biosphere as a whole. Concurrent with our realisation of impending threats to their environment is a growing scientific understanding of the social and cognitive complexity of many of these species. This book brings together experts in the relevant diverse fields of cetacean research, to provide authoritative descriptions of our current knowledge of the complex behaviour and social organization of whales and dolphins. The authors consider this new information in the context of how different human cultures from around the world view cetaceans and their protection, including attitudes to whaling. They show how new information on issues such as cetacean intelligence, culture and the ability to suffer, warrants a significant shift in global perceptions of this group of animals and how these changes might be facilitated to improve conservation and welfare approaches.

Dolphins, Whales, and Manatees of Florida by Randall S. Wells; John E. Reynolds "An excellent job of presenting complex information on marine mammal biology, conservation, and wildlife protection laws in an elegant and comprehensive manner. Their helpful suggestions will engage and inspire the reader to take positive action for the protection of marine mammals and their environment."--Trevor R. Spradlin, National Marine Fisheries Service Dolphins, Whales, and Manatees of Florida is the book of choice for anyone interested in an identification guide and general reference to marine mammal biology, conservation, and governmental protective regulations. Written by two scientists who are recognized as international leaders and pioneers in marine mammal research and conservation--and the foremost authorities on marine mammals in Florida--the book will inform people how their activities affect marine mammals and what they can do to help safeguard the environment of Florida.   John Reynolds and Randall Wells present important scientific information (accompanied by photographs), conservation principles, and wildlife protection laws in a way that will be easy for the general reader to follow and understand. Their skillful presentation of the issues will engage and inspire the reader to take positive action for the protection of marine mammals and their environment. The basic species descriptions and natural history include all of Florida's marine mammals and the occasional visitor to Florida waters: * Florida manatee * bottlenose dolphin * Atlantic spotted dolphin * pygmy and dwarf sperm whales * northern right whale * clymene or short-snouted spinner dolphin * spinner dolphin * rough-toothed dolphin * Risso's dolphin * short-finned pilot whale * false killer whale * pygmy killer whale * beaked whales * goosebeak whale * sperm whale * humpback whale * pinnipeds For the general public and ecotourists as well as students, teachers, and marine educators, Dolphins, Whales, and Manatees of Florida is the primary reference for marine mammal biology and conservation and a guide to wildlife protection laws. John E. Reynolds III is manatee research program manager at Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, and professor of marine science at Eckerd College. Author of 150 publications and several books, he has served as chairman of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission since his appointment by President George Bush in 1991. Randall S. Wells is a behavioral ecologist with the Chicago Ecological Society, director of the Center for Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Research at Mote Marine Laboratory, and adjunct associate professor of ocean sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He has authored or coauthored more than 100 scientific books and articles.

Florida Manatees by John E. Reynolds; Wayne Lynch Manatees, the gentle giants of Florida's lagoons and coastal habitats, can bring a smile to the face of anybody lucky enough to spy one. As manatees dip and roll through the water, crowds gather to watch them feed on aquatic vegetation. Whether they are congregating by the hundreds or resting or feeding alone, viewing these sea cows can provide anyone interested in nature with hours of tranquil pleasure. Having survived for eons, today's manatees are now under constant threat due to our rapidly swelling human population. Their habitats are often devastated by development and pollution. The slow-moving manatees also live at the mercy of chance, for they occupy waters filled with fast-moving boats powered by razor-sharp propellers--a new form of predator from which they have no protection. Boat speed limits have been put in place to protect manatees, but there is a constant push to lift them so that people can once again zip across the waters that manatees call home. For this reason, manatees are often a subject of controversy that pits their lives against the rights of boat owners. In this book, manatee expert John E. Reynolds III and famed photographer Wayne Lynch join forces to reveal the clearest portrait of manatees ever published. Florida Manatees is a song for the manatee, a celebration of the lives of these majestic creatures. Reynolds's concise, informative text shares what scientists know about manatees, while Lynch's beautiful photographs instantly demonstrate how special these "potatoes with whiskers" really are. By encouraging an appreciation of manatees, the authors hope to help ensure a future in which Floridians can find ways to coexist with and continue to enjoy these uniquely wonderful sirenian inhabitants of their state. Included in this book: #65533; How manatees first came to Florida waters #65533; How manatees fit into the ecosystems of Florida #65533; What and how much manatees eat #65533; How manatees behave and communicate with one another #65533; Why manatees look the way they do #65533; Why manatees have whiskers #65533; How manatee mothers feed their young and much more