The Bowhead Whale

Book excerpt: The Bowhead Whale: Balaena mysticetus: Biology and Human Interactions covers bowhead biology from their anatomy and behavior, to conservation, distribution, ecology and evolution. The book also discusses the biological and physical aspects of the Arctic ecosystem in which these whales live, with careful attention paid to the dramatic changes taking place. A special section of the book describes the interactions of humans with bowheads in past and present, focusing on their importance to Indigenous communities and the challenges regarding entanglement in fishing gear, industrial noise and ship strikes. This volume brings together the knowledge of bowheads in one place for easy reference for scientists that study the species, marine mammal biologists, but, equally important, for everyone who is interested in the Arctic. - Presents the only current book dedicated to this species - Includes short, high-impact chapters that make it possible to review all bowhead biology in one compact volume - Illustrated with never-before published photos of bowheads in their natural environment - Provides a platform for an in-depth understanding of indigenous whaling