Fourteen international experts in the fields of cetacean law, policy, and science contribute 13 chapters examining the challenges faced by the species, and the role of legal, political, and scientific institutions to deal with those challenges. Coverage includes current issues faced by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the IWC's future, the history and provisions of the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission, the World Council of Whalers, threats faced by small cetaceans and the responses of national and international institutions, the impacts of pollution and climate change, and the ecosystem role of the species. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)