In 2014, marine biologist Dr Natalie Sanders joined the crew of the research vessel Silurian to seek out Britain's West Coast Community of orca and study them before we lose them forever. Though this orca pod has delighted scientists and whale watchers for years, we still know relatively little about them, and what we do know comes mostly from citizen science and chance encounters. But what is abundantly clear is that pollution, entanglement, military sonar and climate change continue to have an enormous impact on whales and dolphins and other marine life throughout the world's oceans.
The Last Sunset in the West is a must-read for anyone interested in the marine world in this age of climate change. A captivating yet poignant account, it takes the reader from the Western Isles of Scotland to Vancouver Island and elsewhere. It also delves deep into the history of our relations with these beautiful and sentient creatures to explain what their loss means and how we can avoid similar tragedies in the future.
After completing her PhD in marine biology, Natalie Sanders worked as a marine consultant and has authored several peer-reviewed publications, scientific reports, and a book chapter on marine protected areas. She has worked with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, Vancouver Aquarium, and the Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society (Vancouver Island), and is passionate about supporting charities that work to protect our marine life. She lives in the southwest of England with her husband and children.
"Natalie Sanders conveys both the magnificence and fragility of this remarkable creature."
– Vanessa Collingridge
"A wonderfully passionate account."
– Gordon Buchanan
"Thought-provoking and very timely."
– Mark Carwardine, author of Whales and Dolphins: The Ultimate Guide to Marine Mammals