Preface
This book is the outcome of several years working on marine mammal cultures and
regulation. The motivation to write this book stemmed from the fact that in many
discussions surrounding marine mammals, marine mammal conservation, or even
cultures and communities engaged in hunting marine mammals, many
misconceptions have risen to the surface. First and foremost, claims that whales
are universally protected, that polar bears are dying out and killing them is illegal, or
that seal hunting is illegal in the European Union are difficult to rebut in social
settings. I therefore decided that a rather short introduction to ‘international marine
mammal law’—a term which as such does not exist—is quite necessary.
I therefore embarked on a journey and decided to write a not-so-scholarly book
that is also understandable for the lay reader not familiar with the topic. As a scholar,
I am used to write in academic jargon, to use big words, and to take for granted that
specific concepts or contexts are known. In this book, I have tried to avoid this in
order to make it easily understandable for all readers and to make the complexities of
international law pertaining to marine mammals accessible. In order to do so, I have
also used my own experiences and included my own research results—either already
published or still in the process of being written down in a scholarly manner.
The outcome of this endeavour is this textbook, which serves as a point of
departure for further studies on international marine mammal law and which can
be used as course material in universities or even as a basic work for individuals or
organisations working on marine mammal related issues. Since I do not expect that
the readers of this book are fully acquainted with international law, I included some
basics of international law as well. By the same token, since I do not expect the
reader to be familiar with the mysterious group of animals commonly known as
marine mammals, I also included a chapter on some marine mammal species. A
comprehensive volume for students, for lay persons, or for marine mammal
professionals working in other areas than law is the outcome that you are now
holding in your hands.
The information contained in this book stems from my activities as a researcher,
but are compiled and considered in a way suitable for a non-academic audience.
Some parts summarise my doctoral research at the University of Lapland, Finland,
where I analysed the EU Regime on Trade in Seal Products. Moreover, it includes
research results from my first postdoctoral project entitled ‘Development of
ix
This book is the outcome of several years working on marine mammal cultures and
regulation. The motivation to write this book stemmed from the fact that in many
discussions surrounding marine mammals, marine mammal conservation, or even
cultures and communities engaged in hunting marine mammals, many
misconceptions have risen to the surface. First and foremost, claims that whales
are universally protected, that polar bears are dying out and killing them is illegal, or
that seal hunting is illegal in the European Union are difficult to rebut in social
settings. I therefore decided that a rather short introduction to ‘international marine
mammal law’—a term which as such does not exist—is quite necessary.
I therefore embarked on a journey and decided to write a not-so-scholarly book
that is also understandable for the lay reader not familiar with the topic. As a scholar,
I am used to write in academic jargon, to use big words, and to take for granted that
specific concepts or contexts are known. In this book, I have tried to avoid this in
order to make it easily understandable for all readers and to make the complexities of
international law pertaining to marine mammals accessible. In order to do so, I have
also used my own experiences and included my own research results—either already
published or still in the process of being written down in a scholarly manner.
The outcome of this endeavour is this textbook, which serves as a point of
departure for further studies on international marine mammal law and which can
be used as course material in universities or even as a basic work for individuals or
organisations working on marine mammal related issues. Since I do not expect that
the readers of this book are fully acquainted with international law, I included some
basics of international law as well. By the same token, since I do not expect the
reader to be familiar with the mysterious group of animals commonly known as
marine mammals, I also included a chapter on some marine mammal species. A
comprehensive volume for students, for lay persons, or for marine mammal
professionals working in other areas than law is the outcome that you are now
holding in your hands.
The information contained in this book stems from my activities as a researcher,
but are compiled and considered in a way suitable for a non-academic audience.
Some parts summarise my doctoral research at the University of Lapland, Finland,
where I analysed the EU Regime on Trade in Seal Products. Moreover, it includes
research results from my first postdoctoral project entitled ‘Development of
ix