Emphasizing the diverse issues surrounding the conservation of marine mammals, 31 marine biologists and conservationists review the history, current status and future implications of marine mammals legislation, the concept of ecosystem management, interactions of marine mammals with fisheries, and the contemporary whaling debate. They evaluate recent efforts directed at the Florida manatee, the Hawaiian monk seal, the North Atlantic right whale, and other endangered species. The contributors also discuss strandings and die-offs, the practice of keeping marine mammals in captivity and the regulation of marine debris pollution.