Ocean Outbreak

Confronting the Rising Tide of Marine Disease

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Pub Date Apr 16 2019 | Archive Date Jul 19 2019

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Description

There is a growing crisis in our oceans as rates of infectious disease outbreaks are on the rise. Marine epidemics have the potential to cause a mass die-off of wildlife from the bottom to the top of the food chain, impacting the health of ocean ecosystems as well as lives on land. Fueled by sewage dumping, unregulated aquaculture, and drifting plastic in warming seas, ocean outbreaks are sentinels of impending global environmental disaster.
 
Ocean Outbreak follows renowned scientist Drew Harvell and her colleagues as they investigate how four iconic marine animals—corals, abalone, salmon, and starfish—have been devastated by disease. Based on over twenty years of research, this firsthand account of the sometimes creeping, sometimes exploding impact of disease on our ocean’s biodiversity ends with a hopeful message. Through policy changes and the implementation of innovative solutions from nature, we can reduce major outbreaks, save some ocean ecosystems, and protect our fragile environment.  



 
 

There is a growing crisis in our oceans as rates of infectious disease outbreaks are on the rise. Marine epidemics have the potential to cause a mass die-off of wildlife from the bottom to the top of...


Advance Praise

“Drew Harvell’s life changed when she visited her Caribbean field site and discovered dead fan corals everywhere, killed by a new disease no one had ever seen. This inspired a dramatic career change, and Harvell committed to battling diseases in the ocean that kill corals, snails, and sea stars. Part memoir and part science exposé, Ocean Outbreak is a recipe for launching into the unknown, providing a road map showing how one person can marshal the world of science to win against a global peril.”—Steve Palumbi, author of The Evolution Explosion: How Humans Cause Rapid Evolutionary Change

“A marine medical whodunit, where the patients include sea stars facing odds worse than humans did during the Black Death. It is also a tale of hope, thanks to the dedication of a small band of scientists, including the author, who work tirelessly to understand and reduce the threats that disease poses to ocean life.”—Nancy Knowlton, author of Citizens of the Sea

“As a marine ecologist specializing in disease, Drew Harvell worries most about the threat posed by microbes, because in oceans beset by so many stresses, disease-causing microbes can gain the upper hand and bring about rapid, wide-scale ecological change. Ocean Outbreak brilliantly lays out the risk of disease and smart plans for improving ocean health.”—Ted Danson actor, activist, and founding board member of Oceana

“Drew Harvell’s life changed when she visited her Caribbean field site and discovered dead fan corals everywhere, killed by a new disease no one had ever seen. This inspired a dramatic career change...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780520296978
PRICE $26.95 (USD)
PAGES 232

Average rating from 1 member


Featured Reviews

This is a difficult book to read, but not because of the writing style, which is excellent and accessible. Harvell uses the current dire state of several major marine species to discuss what climate change and other causes are doing globally to our oceans. He offers some suggestions at the end, but makes it clear that we will have to take drastic action to save marine life--and the oceans themselves. Important reading for everyone.

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