Center for Coastal Studies

08/28/2026

The CCS Humpback Whale Studies Program is working with Marine Mammals of Maine to identify this calf's mother and gain insight into the calf's separation and death.

HUMPBACK WHALE CALF UPDATE: since first responding to the freshly deceased humpback whale calf in Phippsburg last week, we have learned more about her story.

Her case was shared with colleagues in the marine mammal stranding and research communities, and using photos of her flukes and dorsal fin, experts at the Center for Coastal Studies confirmed this calf was sighted alive and alone off of Masachusetts on August 12th. This points more towards maternal separation having occurred prior to the calf's stranding in Maine. We do not know why they became separated or what happened to this calf's mother, but we will be sharing samples with Center for Coastal Studies in an effort to identify who her mother is. By determining this, we may learn more about where and how she became separated before traveling to Maine where she eventually passed.

Every little bit we learn helps piece together this calf's story. We would like to know more about her presence here in Maine. ***If you saw her in the New Meadows River or the general Phippsburg area, please share any sightings info and photos or video with us at [email protected]!

Thank you to the stranding, research, and local communities for their support of, and investment in learning about this calf with us.

08/28/2026

Last week, we said goodbye to Ella Wegfehrt, the AmeriCorps Cape Cod member who served with the Center’s Marine Fisheries Research program over the past year. During her year of service, Ella furthered the Center's green crab research by analyzing data from our year-round monitoring studies and drafting sampling manuals for future monitoring by our community partners around Cape Cod. Thank you Ella!

08/27/2026

Before aerial survey season begins, our Right Whale Ecology Program team makes sure their safety gear is ready to go.

The team tested their flight dry suits for leaks in a local pond. These suits are an important piece of safety equipment during aerial surveys over Cape Cod Bay.

One more step in getting ready for the season ahead!

08/26/2026

The Center for Coastal Studies will be at the Cape Cod Wildlife Festival at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, 345 Bone Hill Road, Barnstable, on Saturday, September 12, from 10 am–3 pm

🎶 Live music
🦉 Live animal shows at 11 am & 1 pm
🍦 Local food trucks
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Hands-on exhibits & family activities

Meet wildlife experts and discover how they protect Cape Cod’s incredible animals and habitats.

For more info: https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/long-pasture/news/cape-cod-wildlife-festival?fbclid=IwY2xjawT5fjNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMThiZUxBUDdBR2JxRkVzN0pzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeX9CrWuRWOloDzYG_XBGP3wB8XDtzcb2IM-dqM0GtD5YgVYUPnVdzdC9V1KU_aem_bSr72phDjsXSUSqQ-Nso_g

08/25/2026

This summer, we shared two unforgettable evenings on the water with Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch for our Sunset Whale Watches.

Each trip brought its own memorable moments, with incredible whale sightings and a wonderful group of supporters joining us aboard.

These special trips are an opportunity to experience the waters and wildlife of Cape Cod together and to connect with the community that makes our work possible.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this year, and to the Dolphin Fleet for helping make both evenings so memorable.

08/24/2026

Don’t miss “Inspired by the Sea,” a three-day celebration of ocean conservation, collaborative research and art this Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 27-29, in Provincetown.

The schedule includes a shoreline cleanup and seal walk at High Head, a marine debris trash tally, short films screened on the Hindu’s sail, demonstrations of innovative new research equipment, marine debris art workshops and exhibits, and a sunset sail with resident and visiting vessels.

Joining the celebration are several partners of the CCS Marine Debris & Plastics Program: The Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean, a nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation, who will attend on their sailing research vessel American Promise; Sail As You Are, a nonprofit organization that operates the historical schooner Hindu and cutter Bloodhound in Provincetown; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), with whom CCS has had many collaborations; and numerous marine debris artists from the region.

For more information: https://coastalstudies.org/news/provincetown-event-to-celebrate-art-science-sailing-and-the-sea/

08/22/2026

CCS marine ecologist Dr. Agnes Mittermayr will give a talk on coastal biology at the on Tuesday, August. 25 at 6 pm. Bring your own cool beach finds Agnes will do her best to identify them.

08/21/2026

Thank you to the staff and volunteers of the CCS Marine Debris & Plastics Program for their role yesterday bringing up the rear and cleaning up after the Carnival Parade!

08/21/2026

Thank you to Visit Provincetown for naming us Carnival's Grand Marshal in recognition of our 50th anniversary. We had a blast!

08/19/2026