Whales although among our most important and interesting animals have been little studied until recently. Almost a third of about seventy living cetacean species have been recorded in North American Pacific coast waters.Our word whale describes glimpses of surfacing cetaceans its Old English root hvael means a wheel. A large whales rolling back often looks just like the rim of a wheel revolving below the surface. Humans have watched whales with fascination for a long time. There is an emerging whale culture in which whales have actual or at least symbolic importance in our society. Although first substantive human with whales most likely began with whaling archeology suggests an aboriginal whaling tradition dating back 3000 years on the West Coast contemporary interest in whales now primarily concerns how to conserve these species for the future. Whales of the West Coast provides a broad overview of whale natural history with particular reference to species found in the waters of the Pacific Northwest. The book also examines human interactions with whales from how First Nations practised whaling on the BC coast and how commercial whaling spread through the Pacific and continued on the Northwest coast until late in this century to how science has evolved from measurement and anatomy into exciting studies of wild whales. Population decline due to whaling inspired the modern whale conservation movement how to ensure that whales share the seas with future human generations and first hand experiences through aquaria landbased watching and whale watching by boat. We also learn how to enjoy whales without direct with the living animal. There are also lists with useful information including Whales Words addresses of relevant agencies publications and other media. Whales Through Time provides a chronological framework to the whle story from the earliest items to the most recent discoveries. Through the seasons in a monthbymonth list of when and where whales regularly a