The Last Fisherman: Witness to the Endangered Oceans

In this oversized, illustrious book, photographer Rotman—whose work has appeared in National Geographic, Life, Time, among others—presents his mesmerizing photos of marine life and shares stories from his career of more than 40 years as an underwater photographer. From the flounder with a migrating eye in Gloucester, Mass., to the ghoulish stargazer from Lembeh, Indonesia; from the inch-long sea butterfly in the gulf of Maine to the giant octopus in the Red Sea, the subjects of Rotman’s photographs come from around the world, illustrating the creatures of the sea in all their peculiar glory. The stunning close-ups of fish fins showcase the varied colors and textures that are hidden in the depths of the ocean. Whether discussing the difficulties of photographing wildlife as a diver or the shocking slaughter of sharks only for their fins, Rotman (assisted by coauthor Harel) writes in a conversational tone, transforming information about the catastrophic changes in the ocean into a poignant personal narrative. Rotman closes with a look at worldwide commercial fishing and the interaction between technique, ocean life, and way of life for fishing societies, including New England, India, and Mozambique. This book is not only a treasure to be cherished by nature enthusiasts but also an intriguing resource that ought to make its way into science classrooms. Full-color photos.[em] (Nov.) [/em]