Announcing Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises: A World Handbook for Cetacean Habitat Conservation by Erich Hoyt

Published by Earthscan, London, this comprehensive WDCS book on marine protected areas (MPAs) and cetacean habitat has been researched and written by WDCS Senior Research Fellow Erich Hoyt.

Worldwide in coverage, the 516-page book reveals the inside story on existing and planned marine protected areas (MPAs), national parks and sanctuaries around the world. It is designed to be a key resource for scientists, research institutions, students, wildlife conservation agencies, MPA managers, and anyone who cares about cetaceans and the special places where they live. Since most of the world's MPAs promote whale and dolphin watching and responsible marine ecotourism, the book is also being used by keen cetacean watchers to find some of the best places to watch the 84 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises in more than 100 countries around the world.

The book includes a special colour section of cetacean illustrations and photographs, 30 maps and figures, 9 case studies, more than 54 tables and boxes, references and index.

Published in 2005 in the UK and USA in simultaneous hardcover (£75.00/$135.00) and paperback (£24.95/$39.95) editions, the book has been widely and well reviewed. Books may be ordered at discount through the WDCS Shop, www.amazon.co.uk, or www.amazon.com, or through the publisher www.earthscan.co.uk. Click here for author interviews or for more information on quantity orders and discounts.

Along with the book, WDCS has produced a stunning A1 and A0 poster map showing the more than 500 cetacean MPAs and sanctuaries worldwide, with illustrations by Pieter Folkens. To view a copy of this special map, or to download a copy, click here.

Reviews on Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises:

"This book will become the definitive source on MPAs for cetaceans for many years to come and will influence the design and management of this important and rapidly developing conservation tool. I strongly recommend it to everybody interested in whale and dolphin conservation." - Simon Berrow, Fins 2(1) and Biology and Environment,
Royal Society, Ireland

"A comprehensive resource for all involved in marine conservation. For the first time, those involved in creating protected areas can gain a global perspective on their local work. It facilitates the sharing of ideas, reveals the glaring gaps and is a call to action. Hoyt...sees all MPAs as works in progress with the capacity to improve and change...An invaluable contribution to marine conservation."
- BBC Wildlife, in "The best new reads" (lead review)

"The definitive account of the status and protection of cetaceans - a well-written and interesting work on an important subject, accessible to both experts and general readers."

- Prof. Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University, twice winner of the Pulitzer Prize; author The Diversity of Life, The Future of Life, On Human Nature, Consilience

"In 30 years of cetacean advocacy I have never felt more empowered or inspired by any other cetacean book...finally we have a book that tells us how to help them by protecting their habitats and more. This is the stuff the politicians need to know... A must-have book for every reference library in every country."

- William Rossiter, Cetacean Society International director, reviewing in Whales Alive!

"This is an exhaustively researched, fascinating, thought-provoking and hugely useful book. It is both reference and reading material in one. For those involved in the conservation of cetaceans it must already be a compulsory handbook and for the layreader it is a revealing and readable account of the considerable progress of our conservation experts and of the huge task still ahead. A massive achievement marking a milestone in marine protection." Five Star Rating *****

- Rachel Saward, Amazon.com (excerpted from Whale and Dolphin Magazine)

For more Book Reviews, click here.

To view the Table of Contents, click here.

Erich Hoyt is Senior Research Fellow with WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and Co-Director of the Far East Russia Orca Project. He is author of 15 books and more than 400 papers, reports and articles. For more about the author, click here.

Citation: Hoyt, E. 2005. Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises: A World Handbook for Cetacean Habitat Conservation. Earthscan, London. 516pp. ISBN: 1844070638 and 1844070646.