Book reviews 271 This is not a traditional natural history


book, and if you are looking for a definitive book on killer whale biology or ecology, this one may not be the most obvious choice. But that is intentional. Whilst The Killer Whale Journals is, of course, a book about killer whales, it is also a book about killer whale research, and about the relationships between people and this fascinating species. In examining the latter, Strager takes us around the world, highlighting the killer whales of Norway as well as Iceland, Greenland, Russia, Australia, Gibraltar and, of course, the Pacific Northwest. The chosen case studies cover the full range of human– whale relationships, from collaborations to persecution, from fear and mistrust to near- reverence. Strager takes us along on her per- sonal journey as she forges her own research career, but also guides us on a historical journey as whale-watching and ecotourism emerge in areas where people were previous- ly more likely to persecute the local killer whales than take visitors to watch them. Although The Killer Whale Journals is not a book about killer whale ecology per se, it does include some wonderful, detailed de- scriptions of behaviours observed by the au- thor or her collaborators in the field. It also includes some unusual anecdotes, such as the ‘whales in the potato field’ (pp. 127– 140), which you are unlikely to come across elsewhere. Some of these descriptions can be uncomfortable to read, detailing persecu- tions and overfishing, and describing the consequences of ecological misconceptions that leave the reader reflecting once again on the apparent inability of humans to learn oft-repeated lessons from nature. Refreshingly, the book covers little about


captive killer whales. It would be difficult to avoid this topic altogether, but aside from a discussion of the notorious Russian ‘whale jail’ (pp. 158–175), captivity receives only a passing mention. Instead, this book tells of the birth of killer whale research, of the scientists who pioneered techniques still fa- miliar to those of us working with wild ce- taceans today. The book is populated with interactions and interviews with other killer whale researchers, and you can feel the joy Strager derives from these collaborations as she describes the visits made to many of their study sites. These are the parts of the book that feel like wonderful pieces of travel writing; Strager is clearly a person who deeply loves spending time on or by the ocean. I found the descriptions of the Green Cape, the site of the Far East Russian Orca Project in the Avacha Gulf, particularly engrossing. The Killer Whale Journals is a fast-paced


tour of killer whales and the people who live and work with them. You will almost certainly


learn something from this book, even if it’s not what you expected to learn about. It will be particularly enjoyable to anyone who enjoys travel writing, the history of research, good storytelling, nautical yarns or captivating en- counters with the wonders of the natural world.


CLAIRE LACEY ( , clacey2@hawaii.edu) Marine Mammal Research Program, Kane’ohe, Hawaii, USA


Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World’s Most Misunderstood Predator by David Shiffman (2022) 285 pp., Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA. ISBN 978-1- 4214-4364-5 (hbk), USD 24.95.


‘But aren’t you scared of sharks?’ This was one of the first questions friends and family asked when I announced I would be moving to Australia. But as someone who works in wildlife conservation and is fond of being underwater, I have never understood this omnipresent fear of sharks. I have been fortu- nate to dive with beautiful shark species, and revel in knowing how important these preda- tors are for our oceans. A healthy dose of re- spect is vital for safe encounters with these wild animals, but apart from a select few large species, fear of being bitten by a shark never factors into the equation when I get in the water. This is a sentiment I know many other


marine conservationists share, including David Shiffman, the author of Why Sharks Matter. Having dedicated his career to study- ing and advocating for the protection of sharks, Shiffman is no stranger to the plethora of cultural, political and socio-economic is- sues and contentions that surround the con- servation of this diverse group of fish. In this book, he delves into dispelling myths spawned by misinformation or the use of inflammatory language that often characterizes media re- ports of shark bite incidents, pointing out how sharks have been vilified and misunder- stood all along. In the chapter Sharks Are Not a Threat to


Humans Shiffman argues ‘that humans are better off with healthy shark populations than we are without sharks in our waters, and that the benefits of having sharks around outweigh the costs’ (p. 23).He highlights the importance of changing the narrative and the language we use when talking about sharks, such as saying ‘shark bite’ instead of the more sinister ‘shark attack’ and avoiding the use of ‘shark infested waters’,which ‘suggests that there’ssomething wrong or bad about sharks being there’ (p. 30). He goes on to point out that widespread fear of sharks and people’s ‘nonchalance about the


fate of sharks has resulted in political marginal- ization of shark conservation andmanagement efforts’ (p. 43). Explaining that sharks are not generally dangerous to humans is the first step in convincing people of the need for their conservation.But Shiffman takes his argu- ment one step further, saying that ‘simply acknowledging that these animals are not bad is less powerful than understanding that they’re actively good, and that bad things happenwith- out them’ (p. 61). At just over 250 pages, Why Sharks Matter


provides a great introductory overview to all things shark, while not feeling like a science- heavy textbook. Although it opens by explain- ing all the reasons sharks matter ecologically, much of the book is dedicated to exploring the challenges surrounding the conservation and protection of these maligned and misunder- stood predators. The author does not shy away from discussing the contradicting and sometimes controversial policies that exist in this field, or the intricacies of the inter- national management of species and fisheries. Over the course of several chapters, Shiffman discusses the benefits and drawbacks of existing methods for protecting shark popula- tions, such as the differences between target- vs limit-based policies. Although also covering topics from an international perspective, many of the examples provided are US- centric, which is unsurprising given that this is where the author has done extensive work and research. Why Sharks Matter includes 16 colour


plates that help illustrate many of the species and themes discussed. The book is well- referenced, with evidence and articles pro- vided to support the author’s arguments. Scientific concepts are presented in a straight- forward and simple way, often with a collo- quial tone, which makes the content less technical and more accessible to a broad audi- ence. Shiffman interlaces serious conservation issues with popular culture and media refer- ences, and the text is peppered throughout with a good dose of humour, personal anec- dotes and lessons learnt. In the chapter How Are Scientists Helping


Sharks? we hear first-hand from the people working across a wide range of shark-related research. From those working on tracking and behaviour to those trying to age sharks or understand what role wildlife tourism has to play in shark conservation, these vignettes are a great way for readers to get a glimpse of the diverse opportunities and disciplines in this field. I was especially delighted to see so many inspiring women highlighted, as well as Minorities in Shark Sciences, a group that is improving representation, diversity, and inclusion in shark conservation. The book closes with a description of several notable shark organizations working around


Oryx, 2024, 58(2), 270–272 © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S003060532400019X


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