Fifty Years of Flukes & Flippers: A Little History & Personal Adventures With Dolphins, Whales & Sea Lions (1958-2007)

Description

This book is a combination history of some aspects of Marine Mammal Science and a narrative of a special voyage by the author into the world of marine mammals. Although the study of marine mammals has a very long history, the modern era of research did not start in any serious way until the 1950's. At the end of the War, Marineland of Florida came to life and provided a whole new experience for the general public to view and study dolphins (primarily the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin), up close and personal. It was also the start of a new approach and interest in research to understand how these amazing mammals have adapted to the marine environment. This was the start of many opportunities to try and answer some of the questions that have intrigued scientist for centuries. Since the author's introduction to this new endeavor started in 1956 this book focuses on the development of this fascinating field of science from that period up to the present.The story is told from his perspective as an active participant. Today there are thousands of dedicated young scientists working with marine mammals. Unfortunately few of them know much of the fascinating history of their science. It is our hope that this book will address that issue. Dr. William E. Evans, is a Professor Emeritus of the Marine Biology Department, Texas A&M University Galveston. He is one of the first group of scientists that made up the cadre of the Navy's Marine Mammal Program which started in the 1960' at a Naval Base in Southern California. His primary area of research during his 10 years with the US Navy program was marine mammal communion and echolocation. It resulted in the design of a special research platform for observing and recording dolphins underwater and for radio telemetric study of several species.During his career, Dr Ewans was a Director of the Hubbs Sea World Research Institute, a Chairman of the Marine Mammal Commission with over sight responsibilities for the Marine Mammal Protection, Associate Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Dean of the Texas Maritime College. Currently he a Guest Professor at the University of Notre Dame, and Managing Editor of the "American Midland Naturalist". Dr. Evans is the author of over one hundred scientific and popular articles. He is the author and co-author of four books including a children book about a "Gray Whale GIGI".