Title
The Unnatural History of the Sea,New
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Humanity can make short work of the oceans creatures. In 1741, hungry explorers discovered herds of Stellers sea cow in the Bering Strait, and in less than thirty years, the amiable beast had been harpooned into extinction. Its a classic story, but a key fact is often omitted. Bering Island was the last redoubt of a species that had been decimated by hunting and habitat loss years before the explorers set sail.As Callum M. Roberts reveals in The Unnatural History of the Sea, the oceans bounty didnt disappear overnight. While todays fishing industry is ruthlessly efficient, intense exploitation began not in the modern era, or even with the dawn of industrialization, but in the eleventh century in medieval Europe. Roberts explores this long and colorful history of commercial fishing, taking readers around the world and through the centuries to witness the transformation of the seas.Drawing on firsthand accounts of early explorers, pirates, merchants, fishers, and travelers, the book recreates the oceans of the past: waters teeming with whales, sea lions, sea otters, turtles, and giant fish. The abundance of marine life described by fifteenth century seafarers is almost unimaginable today, but Roberts both brings it alive and artfully traces its depletion. Collapsing fisheries, he shows, are simply the latest chapter in a long history of unfettered commercialization of the seas.The story does not end with an empty ocean. Instead, Roberts describes how we might restore the splendor and prosperity of the seas through smarter management of our resources and some simple restraint. From the coasts of Florida to New Zealand, marine reserves have fostered spectacular recovery of plants and animals to levels not seen in a century. They prove that history need not repeat itself: we can leave the oceans richer than we found them.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is 'The Unnatural History of the Sea' about? A: 'The Unnatural History of the Sea' explores the historical exploitation of the oceans, highlighting how human activities have led to the depletion of marine life over centuries.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Dr. Callum M. Roberts, a marine conservationist and researcher.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed as a used book in good condition.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: 'The Unnatural History of the Sea' contains a total of 456 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This edition of the book is bound in hardcover.
- Q: When was 'The Unnatural History of the Sea' published? A: The book was published on July 14, 2007.
- Q: What are the key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include the history of commercial fishing, the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems, and potential solutions for ocean conservation.
- Q: Is this book suitable for casual readers or only for academics? A: The book is suitable for both casual readers interested in marine history and academics studying environmental science.
- Q: Does the book provide solutions for ocean conservation? A: Yes, the book discusses sustainable management practices and marine reserves that can help restore ocean health.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: The available edition of 'The Unnatural History of the Sea' is the first edition.