Deimer gained her PhD in marine biology, with a particular focus on sperm whales, at the University of Hamburg.[2] In the late 1970s many species of whale, including sperm whales, were in danger of extinction.[3] As a result of Deimer's actions, the archipelago of Madeira was declared a protection zone for marine mammals, and commercial whaling around Madeira ceased in 1981.[4]
She contributed significantly to the decision of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to ban commercial whaling in July 1982.[5] In 1983 Deimer ensured that the trade in Minke whales was also banned.[6]
Deimer is the founder and president of the Society for the Conservation of Marine Mammals (Gesellschaft zum Schutz der Meeressäugetiere; GSM).[7] She is a member of the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) Scientific Committee, a member of the German government's Species Conservation Advisory Committee, and an advisor to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).[4]
Deimer has written six books, and numerous articles on whales, dolphins, and seals, as well as on environmental conservation more generally. She has also written a book on parrots.[citation needed]
Select Bibliography
Whales and Dolphins (1998) (English translation of: Wale und Delphine)
Parrots: A complete pet owner’s manual (1984) (trans. Rita Kimber) (English translation of: Papageien)
Das Buch der Wale (Hamburg, 1983) (The Book of Whales)
Das Buch der Robben (Hamburg, 1987) (The Book of Seals)
Notes
↑Obituary, 6. April 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024 (in German).
