Posted on behalf of my colleague Rhys Richards Nga Tohora: The Right Whales of New Zealand and the Southern Oceans by Rhys Richards A not-for-profit publication by the Paremata Press. Price $NZ35.00 276 pages, size 276 x 250mm ISBN 978-0-473-68062-6 Contains a series of studies based on nearly 50 years of research documenting historical whaling for southern right whales. The work concludes with an estimate of the size of the southern right whale population pre-whaling. Part One begins with the results of in-depth studies of commercial whaling and right whale behaviour around southern New Zealand. Between 1827 and 1850, at least 20,000 adult southern right whales (nga tohora) were taken in New Zealand south of the Kermadecs and north of Campbell Island. Most were pregnant females, making the decline all the more abrupt and long lasting. Part Two includes several other regional studies, including the global expansion of the British and American whaling fleets into the South Atlantic, along with studies of the French, Spanish, Portuguese and other smaller fisheries, primarily focused on initial exploitation. Also included is a review of bay whaling by the British and French off Southern Africa between 1785 to 1805 and 1817 to 1842. Sail whalers operating in this area drove local stocks to near extinction. A final regional study focuses on historical whaling in Tasmanian waters finally providing an estimate of the number of southern right whales taken pre-1827. Part Three presents new material. Market evidence using material from US, British, French and other sources in order to establish a baseline population for the southern right whale prior to the commencement of whaling. The total number is not over 100,000. Copies of the book and postage rates available from: parematapress@gmail.com Dale Chatwin Franklin, Australia bswfdb@gmail.com www.britishwhaling.org