Based on his Review of Small Cetaceans first published online in 2001, Boris M. Culik describes in this encyclopaedia all 72 toothed whale species (odontocetes), from the smallest, the Gulf of California vaquita to the largest, the giganti sperm whale. This book presents the most recent scientific findings on the distribution, migration, behaviour and threats related to all odontocetes. Up-to-date maps provided by the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group show the currently known distribution of each species. Colour illustrations by Maurizio Würtz, Genoa University and Artescienza, Italy, provide a realistic view of these marine mammals and nicely complement the book. 

There are many things and services in our everyday life that we take for granted, and telecommunications is one of them. technology that enables us to do so. This report covers the history and nature of cables, their special status in international law, their interaction with the environment and other ocean users and, finally, the challenges of the future.

This report explores the potential for mitigating the impacts of climate change by improved management and protection of marine ecosystems and especially the vegetated coastal habitat, or blue carbon sinks.

The objective of this report is to highlight the critical role of the oceans and ocean ecosystems in maintaining our climate and in assisting policy makers to mainstream an oceans agenda into national and international climate change initiatives. While emissions’ reductions are currently at the centre of the climate change discussions, the critical role of the oceans and ocean ecosystems has been vastly overlooked.

This publication provides guidance to the various stakeholders in the fisheries sector on the tools and actions necessary to address the challenges contributing to the global food crisis. The document reviews the complexities surrounding the current decline, and in some cases collapse, of global fish stocks.

Despite the central role oceans play in the economic, environmental and social affairs of the planet's 6.7 billion inhabitants, significant gaps exist in our understanding and management of the complex processes at work from the global climate system, to the water cycle and circulation of nutrients, to changes affecting marine habitats. In addition, the vastness of the world's oceans
have for far too long been perceived as impervious and indestructible to human impact.

The report lists recommendations to help Ukraine complete its recovery from the oil spill that occurred in the Kerch Strait in November 2007, when a severe storm caused the Volgoneft-139 to release over 1,300 tonnes of fuel oil into the sea.

This report presents the results of the GIWA assessment of the Colombia & Venezuela and Central America & Mexico sub-systems – located in GIWA region 3, the Caribbean Sea. The regional team identified habitat and community modification as the priority concern of both sub-systems.

This report presents the Caspian Sea – the largest land-locked water body on earth, bordered by five countries and influenced by three more in the catchment area.

This report presents the GIWA assessment of the Humboldt Current region, located along western South America, stretching from the Ecuadorian-Colombian border to the south of Chile.