Marine Mammal Conservation and the Law of the Sea

By briefly presenting and analysing the core issues surrounding pre-existing regulatory regimes that in one way or another impact marine mammal species, [Jefferies] rightfully centres his argument around the gap in these regimes to purposefully address issues other than the lethal taking of marine mammals. Based on this, and using the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) as a case in point, Jefferies therefore justifies the need for an international regime for marine mammals . . . The book is very thoroughly researched and convincingly argued and should serve as a guidebook for all parties involved in the debate surrounding marine mammal conservation. * Nikolas Sellheim, Polar Record: A Journal of Arctic and Antarctic Research * Jefferies' book makes a significant contribution to the existing literature, not only for its comprehensive treatment of the expansive issue of marine mammal conservation but also for its problem-solving orientation... Even if it is primarily a work of legal scholarship, this work transcends disciplinary boundaries and will be of interest to diplomats, policy makers and environmental advocates among others. * Howard S. Schiffman, Review of European Community and International Environmental Law * ...instantly the leading text on all aspects of the international regulation of marine mammals. The author provides a detailed study of the history and current status of global, regional, and national marine mammal management including the paralytic operation of the IWC and an expansive discussion of the conservation-preservation debate that has been the core cause of the paralysis. While telling the story well, Dr. Jefferies goes further with an impressive chapter devoted to the current challenges to the conservation of marine mammals which includes: global climate change; by-catch; ship strikes; environmental pollution, and ecotourism. Bravely, convincingly, and creatively the author calls for a compromise between the conservationists and preservationists through the replacement of the IWC with an implementing agreement within the framework of the Law of the Sea Convention. * Ted L. McDorman, Professor of Law, University of Victoria * Up-to-date, insightful, and comprehensive. This is a masterful work that covers and provides guidance on all of the most critical decisions facing the conservation of cetaceans in the 21st century. * Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, The University of Waikato * Dr. Jefferies' excellent book, Marine Mammal Conservation and the Law of the Sea, fills an important need in the scholarly literature by providing a thorough and well-researched analysis of international law's treatment of marine mammal protection. The book has three primary strengths. First, it offers a comprehensive review and assessment of existing international law protections for marine mammals. Second, it examines critical ethical dimensions of marine mammal conservation, highlighting important issues at the intersection of environmental law and animal welfare law. Third, it provides valuable and effective recommendations for reform, including a proposed International Marine Mammal Commission and an evaluation of marine protected areas as an effective management tool. * Randall S. Abate, Professor of Law and Director, Center for International Law and Justice, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law *