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Frank’s Whales details the efforts of a small, but dedicated, group of volunteers who are doing their part to save the most endangered large mammal in the world. North Atlantic Right Whales, hunted almost to extinction by 1935, use Northeast Florida coastal waters as their only known calving grounds. With an estimated population of only 325 whales remaining, scientists and volunteers are working to minimize the whales’ greatest threat, which comes from the human impact of ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement.
Led by marine mammal scientists, volunteers gather data about the whales from shore-based observation points. Frank Gromling, a
four-year veteran of the research project, tells the fascinating story of the endangered whales and the special role being played by a handful of volunteers. For anyone interested in nature, conservation, whales, and volunteer programs, this is required reading.
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. What’s
a Right Whale And Why Is It Called That?
2.
How to Recognize a Right Whale
3.
Life on the Roof
4.
An Invention Is Born
5.
Sightings!
6.
Carcass Recovery
7.
Party Hardy
8. A
New Season - A New Approach
9. Fuji
Re-visited
10. 2002
Sightings
11. Fun, Fun, Fun
12. What Did We
Accomplish?
Written Sources
Internet Sources
REVIEWS
Reviewed by H. Steven Robertson, Author of Ranch Boy
and Acorns of Love and Wisdom
Of the really amazing creatures that still inhabit the earth, whales are at the top of the list. Frank Gromling has written and published a delightful saga, Frank’s Whales, of one man’s discovery of the North Atlantic right whale. Ironically, this was in his back yard, which happened to be the Atlantic Ocean. It chronicles his efforts as he got involved with an organization that was founded to save the species from extinction. Whether you are a fisherman, nature enthusiast, biologist, inhabitant of the coast or just the average person living anywhere, you will enjoy this interesting and informative story. This book has also been created with the purest of intentions: to make the reader aware of how the average person can contribute his or her time and, in addition, enjoy an exciting adventure for a noble cause.
Reviewed by Beverly Fleming
Selected
testimonials for Frank's Whales
“Frank Gromling, in a refreshing narrative, convincingly
answers the questions so many people ask: ‘How can I make a
difference?’ And ‘What can I do to help?’ Become involved with
a volunteer program, learn more about the plight of the North
Atlantic right whale – or Nature’s other creatures – enjoy
meeting like-minded people and have fun. A good read.”
Hans Neuhauser, Editor, Right Whale News
“This is an exciting inside look at a volunteer-based
research program that is aiding the most endangered large whale
in the world.”
Jim Egan, Executive Director
Marine Resources Council,
Rockledge,
FL
“Congratulations on your fantastic accomplishment and
volunteer efforts. Keep up the good work, and once again hooray
for Frank!”
Betti Tobiasz, Seekonk,
MA
“With only about 325
North Atlantic
Right Whales left, this book is an important contribution to
their understanding and survival. What a superb job you have
done!”
Dr. Maia McGuire,
University of
Florida
Sea Grant Extension Agent
“Very interesting subject, one that everyone takes an
interest in, but for a few dedicated people like you, not many
participate actively.”
David Craveiro, Bristol,
RI
“I read through Mr. Gromling's creatively witty and
informative book in one sitting. This educational work about our
endangered sea mammals should be required reading and on all
environmentalists’ and conservationists' bookshelves.”
Harry Waranch, LMT,
Palm Coast,
FL
“Frank
Gromling has written and published a delightful saga of one
man’s discovery of the North Atlantic right whales. Ironically,
this was in his back yard, which happened to be the Atlantic
Ocean. It chronicles his efforts as he got involved with an
organization that was founded to save the species from
extinction. Whether you are a fisherman, nature enthusiast,
biologist, inhabitant of the coast or just an average person
living anywhere, you will enjoy this interesting and informative
story. This book has also been created with the purest
intentions: to make the reader aware of how anyone can
contribute his or her time and, in addition, enjoy an exciting
adventure for a noble cause.”
H. Steven
Robertson, author of Ranch Boy
"The numbers of a species approach the edge of extinction.
Just as with Loggerhead Sea Turtles, American Bald Eagles, and
Peregrine Falcons, the Right Whale has a better chance of
survival because individuals not only cared about its
well-being, but took action to assist.
Few people may know, until Frank's Whales lands in their
lap, that Northeast Florida is a critical birthing ground for
the Right Whale, the rarest large whale in the Atlantic Ocean.
Frank Gromling's book explores this majestic creature's natural
history and the protection programs that hope to safeguard this
whale's numbers, beginning with the whalers who, in prior
centuries, reduced populations to a critical level, and moving
forward to modern times, when ship strikes pose a serious
threat.
The author relates his own experiences as part of a
volunteer group that records observations and data to assist
government agencies in formulating plans for the Right Whale's
protection.
This book is perfect for many purposes. For the
environmentally conscious, it's a lovely example of those who do
more than protest: they give their time to help on behalf of a
cause they hold dear.
For any student doing a life sciences report or project,
this book will also be an invaluable resource, because it offers
original research from first hand accounts, something not
readily available for many projects.
The book is also interesting to a casual reader, because
Frank Gromling tells a good story in an unpretentious, direct
manner that puts the reader on the observation deck with him.
A bonus in this book involves exceptional black and white
photographs of these whales and other ocean species, and related
charts and maps.
I would highly recommend this book to any reader."
Reviewed by Kay Day author of A Poetry
Break, Poetry for Your Pleasure
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