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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Wild animals > Aquatic creatures
Illuminating the conditions for global governance to have
precipitated the devastating decline of one of the ocean's most
majestic creatures The International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is the world's foremost
organization for managing and conserving tunas, seabirds, turtles,
and sharks traversing international waters. Founded by treaty in
1969, ICCAT stewards what has become under its tenure one of the
planet's most prominent endangered fish: the Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Called "red gold" by industry insiders for the exorbitant price her
ruby-colored flesh commands in the sushi economy, the giant bluefin
tuna has crashed in size and number under ICCAT's custodianship.
With regulations to conserve these sea creatures in place for half
a century, why have so many big bluefin tuna vanished from the
Atlantic? In Red Gold, Jennifer E. Telesca offers unparalleled
access to ICCAT to show that the institution has faithfully
executed the task assigned it by international law: to fish as hard
as possible to grow national economies. ICCAT manages the bluefin
not to protect them but to secure export markets for commodity
empires-and, as a result, has become complicit in their
extermination. The decades of regulating fish as commodities have
had disastrous consequences. Amid the mass extinction of all kinds
of life today, Red Gold reacquaints the reader with the splendors
of the giant bluefin tuna through vignettes that defy
technoscientific and market rationales. Ultimately, this book
shows, changing the way people value marine life must come not only
from reforming ICCAT but from transforming the dominant culture
that consents to this slaughter.
Combining rich historical detail and a harrowing, pulse-pounding narrative, Close to Shore brilliantly re-creates the summer of 1916, when a rogue Great White shark attacked swimmers along the New Jersey shore, triggering mass hysteria and launching the most extensive shark hunt in history.
During the summer before the United States entered World War I, when ocean swimming was just becoming popular and luxurious Jersey Shore resorts were thriving as a chic playland for an opulent yet still innocent era's new leisure class, Americans were abruptly introduced to the terror of sharks. In July 1916 a lone Great White left its usual deep-ocean habitat and headed in the direction of the New Jersey shoreline. There, near the towns of Beach Haven and Spring Lake-and, incredibly, a farming community eleven miles inland-the most ferocious and unpredictable of predators began a deadly rampage: the first shark attacks on swimmers in U.S. history.
For Americans celebrating an astoundingly prosperous epoch much like our own, fueled by the wizardry of revolutionary inventions, the arrival of this violent predator symbolized the limits of mankind's power against nature.
Interweaving a vivid portrait of the era and meticulously drawn characters with chilling accounts of the shark's five attacks and the frenzied hunt that ensued, Michael Capuzzo has created a nonfiction historical thriller with the texture of Ragtime and the tension of Jaws. From the unnerving inevitability of the first attack on the esteemed son of a prosperous Philadelphia physician to the spine-tingling moment when a farm boy swimming in Matawan Creek feels the sandpaper-like skin of the passing shark, Close to Shore is an undeniably gripping saga.
Heightening the drama are stories of the resulting panic in the citizenry, press and politicians, and of colorful personalities such as Herman Oelrichs, a flamboyant millionaire who made a bet that a shark was no match for a man (and set out to prove it); Museum of Natural History ichthyologist John Treadwell Nichols, faced with the challenge of stopping a mythic sea creature about which little was known; and, most memorable, the rogue Great White itself moving through a world that couldn't conceive of either its destructive power or its moral right to destroy.
Scrupulously researched and superbly written, Close to Shore brings to life a breathtaking, pivotal moment in American history. Masterfully written and suffused with fascinating period detail and insights into the science and behavior of sharks, Close to Shore recounts a breathtaking, pivotal moment in American history with startling immediacy.
Although Herman Melville's Moby-Dick is beloved as one of the most
profound and enduring works of American fiction, we rarely consider
it a work of nature writing--or even a novel of the sea. Yet
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Dillard avers Moby-Dick is the
"best book ever written about nature," and nearly the entirety of
the story is set on the waves, with scarcely a whiff of land. In
fact, Ishmael's sea yarn is in conversation with the nature writing
of Emerson and Thoreau, and Melville himself did far more than live
for a year in a cabin beside a pond. He set sail: to the far remote
Pacific Ocean, spending more than three years at sea before writing
his masterpiece in 1851. A revelation for Moby-Dick devotees and
neophytes alike, Ahab's Rolling Sea is a chronological journey
through the natural history of Melville's novel. From white whales
to whale intelligence, giant squids, barnacles, albatross, and
sharks, Richard J. King examines what Melville knew from his own
experiences and the sources available to a reader in the mid-1800s,
exploring how and why Melville might have twisted what was known to
serve his fiction. King then climbs to the crow's nest, setting
Melville in the context of the American perception of the ocean in
1851--at the very start of the Industrial Revolution and just
before the publication of On the Origin of Species. King compares
Ahab's and Ishmael's worldviews to how we see the ocean today: an
expanse still immortal and sublime, but also in crisis. And
although the concept of stewardship of the sea would have been
entirely foreign, if not absurd, to Melville, King argues that
Melville's narrator Ishmael reveals his own tendencies toward what
we would now call environmentalism. Featuring a coffer of
illustrations and an array of interviews with contemporary
scientists, fishers, and whale watch operators, Ahab's Rolling Sea
offers new insight not only into a cherished masterwork and its
author but also into our evolving relationship with the briny
deep--from whale hunters to climate refugees.
Located between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and between the
Asian and Australian continents, the seas of the Indonesian
Archipelago have a significant role in global weather patterns and
oceanic circulation. The dynamic interplay between geological,
physical, chemical, and biological processes, past and present, has
given rise to one of the most diverse marine regions on the planet.
The exceptional marine and coastal ecosystem diversity of the
Indonesian archipelago provides hundreds of habitats that support
thousands of species. This treasure trove of marine biodiversity
has sustained the people of the archipelago for thousands of years.
Population growth and socio-economic development place many of
these resources at increasing risk of overexploitation. Using maps
and numerous illustrations, The Ecology of the Indonesian Seas
describes the complex and ecologically vulnerable coastal and
marine ecosystems of the region in rich detail. Discussion of
development, resource use and ecologically sustainable management
plans is also incorporated. The first step towards sustainable use
of marine and coastal resources, this book will be a valuable tool
for ecologists, marine biologists, resource managers, government
planners, and all those with an interest in the ecology of the
region. Bound in two parts, of which this is the first, this book
is part of The Ecology of Indonesia series.
Located between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and between the
Asian and Australian continents, the seas of the Indonesian
Archipelago have a significant role in global weather patterns and
oceanic circulation. The dynamic interplay between geological,
physical, chemical, and biological processes, past and present, has
given rise to one of the most diverse marine regions on the planet.
The exceptional marine and coastal ecosystem diversity of the
Indonesian archipelago provides hundreds of habitats that support
thousands of species. This treasure-trove of marine biodiversity
has sustained the people of the archipelago for thousands of years.
Population growth and socio-economic development place many of
these resources at increasing risk of overexploitation. Using maps
and numerous illustrations, The Ecology of the Indonesian Seas
describes the complex and ecologically vulnerable coastal and
marine ecosystems of the region in rich detail. Discussion of
development, resource use and ecologically sustainable management
plans is also incorporated. The first step towards sustainable use
of marine and coastal resources, this book will be a valuable tool
for ecologists, marine biologists, resource managers, government
planners, and all those with an interest in the ecology of the
region. Bound in two parts, of which this is the second, The
Ecology of the Indonesian Seas is part of The Ecology of Indonesia
Series.
Based on five decades of research and observation, a haunting and
unsparing look at the melting ice caps, and what their
disappearance will mean. Peter Wadhams has been studying ice
first-hand since 1970, completing 50 trips to the world's poles and
observing for himself the changes over the course of nearly five
decades. His conclusions are stark: the ice caps are melting.
Following the hottest summer on record, sea ice in September 2016
was the thinnest in recorded history. There is now the probability
that within a few years the North Pole will be ice-free for the
first time in 10,000 years, entering what some call the "Artic
death spiral." As sea ice, as well as land ice on Greenland and
Antarctica, continues to melt, the rise in sea levels will
devastate coastal communities across the world. The collapse of
summer ice in the Artic will release large amounts of methane
currently trapped by offshore permafrost. Methane has twenty-three
times greater greenhouse warming effect per molecule than CO2; an
ice-free arctic summer will therefore have an albedo effect nearly
equivalent to that of the last thirty years. A sobering but urgent
and engaging book, A Farewell to Ice shows us ice's role on our
planet, its history, and the true dimensions of the current global
crisis, offering readers concrete advice about what they can do,
and what must be done.
Since its establishment as a federally protected wilderness in
1964, the Boundary Waters has become one of our nation's most
valuable-and most frequently visited-natural treasures. When Amy
and Dave Freeman learned of toxic mining proposed within the area's
watershed, they decided to take action-by spending a year in the
wilderness, and sharing their experience through video, photos, and
blogs with an audience of hundreds of thousands of concerned
citizens. This book tells the deeper story of their adventure in
northern Minnesota: of loons whistling under a moonrise, of ice
booming as it forms and cracks, of a moose and her calf swimming
across a misty lake. With the magic-and urgent-message that has
rallied an international audience to the campaign to save the
Boundary Waters, A Year in the Wilderness is a rousing cry of
witness activism, and a stunning tribute to this singularly
beautiful region.
'Bobby's oyster travelogue is an ambitious, one-of-a-kind piece
that shines a spotlight on the extraordinary and the everyday of
the industry. It's the stuff that oyster bucket lists are made of'
Julie Qiu, In A Half Shell blog 'A masterpiece' Sandy Ingber,
Executive Chef of the Grand Central Oyster Bar, New York 'An
amazing tome . . . The stories behind each oyster and location are
informative, in depth, but, most importantly, fun' Michel Roux Jr
The oyster. Ostrea edulis. 'Edible bones'. The Great British oyster
is deeply embedded in our geographical, historical and
socio-cultural landscape. Five-thousand-year-old oyster shells have
been discovered in the northern reaches of Scotland, and oyster
shells are littered along the extinct riverbeds deep beneath the
London of today. A highly prized delicacy of the Romans, the oyster
has always been a class leveller: an everyman food of the poor
during the Victorian age to a food of decadence during the
twentieth century. It is a superfood; a biological water meter; an
ecological superpower. The oyster card, 'the world is your oyster'
- it has even crept into our language. Bobby Groves, Head of
Oysters at the Chiltern Firehouse, takes us on a wonderful journey
of the British oyster, a five-thousand-mile motorcycle odyssey of
Britain's spectacular coastlines. He vividly brings to life this
strange and marvellous creature, shining a light on its rich and
vibrant history, its cultural impact and ecological importance as
well as those oyster folk who work so hard to protect them. Part
travelogue, part social history, Oyster Isles is a celebration of
the much-loved yet much-misunderstood British oyster.
Sometimes called the most colourful creatures on earth,
nudibranchs are a type of shell-less marine snail that capture the
attention of scuba divers, snorkelers and tidepool-gazers with
their bizarre, ornate body forms and incandescent colouration.
There are over 3,000 species worldwide and some of the most
spectacular specimens are native to the temperate waters of the
Pacific Northwest. A diver of many years' experience, Rick Harbo
presents a brilliant guide to the most notable specimens found in
local waters. This durable, water-resistant 8-fold pamphlet
identifies more than 50 of the most common species from California
to Alaska and is an ideal companion on visits to the sea as well as
a beautiful addition to the home library.
Forty five postcards (3 x 15) illustrated with magical and powerful
images from David Doubilet's book Water Light Time
Widely acclaimed as the world's leading underwater photographer,
David Doubilet's award-winning book Water Light Time showcases over
twenty-five years' of his work under the oceans and seas of all
parts of the globe. Sharks and shipwrecks, rare and unusual
species, exotic vegetation, startling and vivid colours, Doubilet's
pictures inspire awe at both the wonder of the undersea world and
the extraordinary skill of the photographer. This is a selection of
fifteen (three copies of each) of the most beautiful images from
this magical, brightly coloured and sometimes dangerous submarine
world.
Become immersed in the splendour of the sea with this alluring
collection of stickers. Page after page of this book is packed with
vintage drawings of coral, fish, and shells that portray the beauty
of the ocean and the simple pleasures of a day at the beach. Get
creative! Adorn your personal items with more than a thousand
images of marine life, create gorgeous artwork and stationery, or
simply enjoy this book as an exquisite keepsake.
WINNER of the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award
Washington Post "50 Notable Works of Nonfiction" Science News
"Favorite Science Books of 2018" Booklist "Top Ten
Science/Technology Book of 2018" "A marvelously humor-laced
page-turner about the science of semi-aquatic rodents.... A
masterpiece of a treatise on the natural world."-The Washington
Post In Eager, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb reveals that
our modern idea of what a healthy landscape looks like and how it
functions is wrong, distorted by the fur trade that once trapped
out millions of beavers from North America's lakes and rivers. The
consequences of losing beavers were profound: streams eroded,
wetlands dried up, and species from salmon to swans lost vital
habitat. Today, a growing coalition of "Beaver Believers"-including
scientists, ranchers, and passionate citizens-recognizes that
ecosystems with beavers are far healthier, for humans and
non-humans alike, than those without them. From the Nevada deserts
to the Scottish highlands, Believers are now hard at work restoring
these industrious rodents to their former haunts. Eager is a
powerful story about one of the world's most influential species,
how North America was colonized, how our landscapes have changed
over the centuries, and how beavers can help us fight drought,
flooding, wildfire, extinction, and the ravages of climate change.
Ultimately, it's about how we can learn to coexist, harmoniously
and even beneficially, with our fellow travelers on this planet.
All NEW from Kate Frost. Follow your heart and then your
dreams...'A perfect escape to Italy, with sunshine, devastating
secrets, tears, smiles and a hero you will fall in love with.' -
Jennifer Bohnet 'A beautiful novel about life choices and moving
on, set on the sundrenched island of Capri. Should be read by a
pool with a glass of Prosecco in one hand' - T.A. Williams 'A
lovely escapist tale full of heart, friendship and promise' - Annie
Robertson Best friends since childhood, Fern Chambers and Stella
Shaw have been through everything together and are at a crossroads
in their lives. Carefree Stella has a monumental secret and down
trodden Fern's happy life is not all it seems. With their 40th
birthdays approaching, a luxury holiday to the island of Capri is a
chance for them to reconnect, let their hair down and celebrate in
style. But untold truths and frustration bubble beneath the
surface, turning what should be a holiday of a lifetime into an
opportunity to make life-changing decisions. Far from home, where
anything feels possible, secrets are revealed, heartache is shared,
love discovered and new friendships forged. Will their Italian
dream turn into a nightmare or lead to newfound happiness?
The definitive resource on tunas and billfishes from the world's
top authorities. Tunas and billfishes are peak predators of the
oceans. Admired by scientists and naturalists for their speed,
grace, unique physiology, and diversity, they are important both
ecologically and socioeconomically. Vital sources of food and
income for many maritime nations, whose fleets of vessels target
them with huge purse seines or miles-long lines, these exhilarating
fishes are also highly desired and avidly sought by big game
fishers across the globe. In Tunas and Billfishes of the World,
Bruce Collette, a leading marine ichthyologist and conservationist,
and John Graves, an expert on the biology, fisheries, and
management of tunas and billfishes, focus on three families of
fishes: Scombridae, the mackerels and tunas; Istiophoridae,
sailfish and marlins; and Xiphiidae, the Swordfish. Over the course
of 61 in-depth species accounts, Collette and Graves * describe
what each species looks like and where it lives * include detailed
summaries of the fishes' biology-size, food, habitat, reproduction,
and early life history * offer current information about fisheries
interests and conservation status * provide up-to-date evaluations
of the threat status for each species Accompanied by full-color,
scientifically accurate illustrations by renowned illustrator Val
Kells, along with range maps for each species, this spectacular
volume is the essential book on these majestic inhabitants of the
sea. Destined to quickly become the standard reference for
scientists, students, and naturalists, Tunas and Billfishes of the
World will also be prized by all fishers who pursue these species.
With over 7,000 known species, frogs display a stunning array of
forms and behaviors. A single gram of the toxin produced by the
skin of the Golden Poison Frog can kill 100,000 people. Male
Darwin's Frogs carry their tadpoles in their vocal sacs for sixty
days before coughing them out into the world. The Wood Frogs of
North America freeze every winter, reanimating in the spring from
the glucose and urea that prevent cell collapse. The Book of Frogs
commemorates the diversity and magnificence of all of these
creatures, and many more. Six hundred of nature's most fascinating
frog species are displayed, with each entry including a
distribution map, sketches of the frogs, species identification,
natural history, and conservation status. Life-size color photos
show the frogs at their actual size--including the colossal
seven-pound Goliath Frog. Accessibly written by expert Tim Halliday
and containing the most up-to-date information, The Book of Frogs
will captivate both veteran researchers and amateur herpetologists.
As frogs increasingly make headlines for their troubling worldwide
decline, the importance of these fascinating creatures to their
ecosystems remains underappreciated. The Book of Frogs brings
readers face to face with six hundred astonishingly unique and
irreplaceable species that display a diverse array of adaptations
to habitats that are under threat of destruction throughout the
world.
A tale of obsession and very big fish from Jeremy Wade, the
presenter of ITV's RIVER MONSTERS. Over ten feet long, it weighs in
at nearly a quarter of a ton. Covering its back are armoured plates
made of bone. Five hundred stiletto-sharp teeth line its long
crocodilian jaws. It's a prehistoric beast of staggering
proportions; a fearsome creature from the time of the dinosaurs.
But the Alligator Gar, an air-breathing survivor from the
Cretaceous period is still with us today, patrolling inland rivers,
hunting in murky waters shared by human communities. And for Jeremy
Wade, described as the 'greatest angling explorer of his
generation', the Gar and other outlandish freshwater predators have
been an obsession for all his adult life. With names like Arapaima,
Snakehead, Goonch, Goliath Tigerfish and Electric Eel, many of them
have acquired an almost mythical status. In a quest that has taken
him from the Amazon to the Congo, and from North America to the
mountains of India, Wade has pursued the truth about these little
known, often misunderstood animals. Along the way he's survived a
plane crash, malaria and a fish-inflicted blow to the chest that,
according to a later scan, caused permanent scarring to his heart.
In RIVER MONSTERS, Wade delivers a sometimes jaw-dropping blend of
adventure, natural history, legend and detective work. It reads
like a hunt for the Loch Ness Monster. But it's all true. These are
fisherman's tales like you've never heard before. The stories of
the ones that didn't get away ...
The Top 200+ species of marine invertebrates, plants, mammals and
reptiles of the Maldives in a handy fold-out waterproof guide. A
companion guide to the book Marine Life of the Maldives. Includes a
silhouette of each animal for easy identification, details
including depth range, size, distribution, IUCN Red List status,
page reference to the book and a check box for recording species. A
handy laminated fold-out reference guide of the same kind as the
Maldives Field Fish Guide "Top 200+".
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