Dear colleagues,

I am delighted to announce the publication of my chapter “Impacts of Marine Mammal Tourism” (Chapter 6) in the new book “Ecotourism’s Promise and Peril: A Biological Evaluation” (Blumstein, D.T., Geffroy, B., Samia, D.S.M., Bessa, E., Eds.).

Book Summary:

Intended as a guide for wildlife managers and ecotourism operators, as well as interested ecotourists, this book addresses the biological principles governing how ecotourism affects wildlife. The introductory chapters focus on four key responses to human visitation—behavioral, physiological, ecological, and evolutionary.  Readers will discover ecotourism’s effects on biodiversity in connection with various industries that are habitat or taxonomically specific:  fish tourism (including both freshwater and marine), marine mammal tourism, the huge industry centered on terrestrial animals, and the well-studied industry of penguin tourism. 

Given that the costs and benefits of ecotourism cannot be meaningfully assessed without understanding the human context, particular attention is given to how ecotourism has been used as part of community development. In closing, the book synthesizes the current state of knowledge regarding best practices for reducing human impacts on wildlife. The final chapter highlights key research questions that must be addressed to provide more evidence-based guidelines and policy.

The book is available here: http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319583303

Chapter 6. is available under request: mbearzi@oceanconservation.org

Best regards,

Maddalena Bearzi

Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D.
  Ocean Conservation Society, President
  po box 12860
marina del rey, ca 90295  usa
  310.822.5205
mbearzi@oceanconservation.org
www.oceanconservation.org