The Empty Ocean - Hardcover

"It is also a splendid example of history illuminating ecology, with well-chosen facts that enable us to picture a largely invisible catastrophe."--New York Times Book Review "Now . . . as Richard Ellis bluntly argues in this important and aptly named book, we have the . . . wherewithal to so reduce so many species of ocean life that the ecological consequences are incalculable."--Mother Jones "Read this book and be inspired, informed, and entertained, but watch out. The latest, most powerful tribute to the sea by Richard Ellis could forever change the way you think about the ocean, about yourself, and about the future we share with the sea."--Sylvia Earle, Explorer in Residence, National Geographic Society "A book that gives voice to the thousands of species of marine life that have been hunted and fished to near extinction."--E-The Environment Magazine "As the human population has increased, the marine population has plummeted, and Ellis tells the complex story behind this equation for disaster with a vast array of facts, unfailing eloquence, and bracing frankness."--Booklist

In this title, Richard Ellis tells the story of our continued plunder of life in the sea and weighs the chances for its recovery. Through portraits of a wide array of creatures, he introduces us to the many forms of sea life that humans have fished, hunted and collected over the centuries, from charismatic whales and dolphins to the lowly menhaden, from sea turtles to cod, tuna and coral. Rich in history, anecdote and surprising fact, the author's descriptions bring to life the natural history of the various species, the threats they face and the losses they have suffered. Killing has occurred on a truly stunning scale, with extinction all too often the result, leaving a once-teaming ocean greatly depleted. But the author also finds instances of hope and resilience, of species that have begun to make remarkable comebacks when given the opportunity.