research
Our research is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and focused on finding sustainable solutions to the important issues facing our coastal communities and marine ecosystems.
rescue
The Marine Animal Entanglement Response (MAER) program is an emergency, field-based conservation effort with staff on call 24/7 to rescue and document whales and sea turtles entangled in fishing gear.
education
CCS promotes stewardship, raises awareness, and increases understanding of marine and coastal environments through a wide variety of audiences through curriculum-based classroom lessons, experiences in the field, and public outreach events.
Recent News
A Lesson in Code Switching: Three Years as a Marine Debris Specialist
By Fritz McGirr, Marine Debris Specialist When I began this role in the winter of 2024 as what I have lovingly come to refer to as an Ocean Garbage Fella, I had no idea what to expect other than I was going to be picking trash off the beaches of Cape Cod and cleaning...
Center for Coastal Studies Returns to Hull to Complete Cleanup
Staff and volunteers from the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown returned to Hull, MA on Monday to employ a 215-foot crane to remove heavy debris left behind following an earlier cleanup along the shoreline of Pemberton Point. In April, the...
All Town Open Call Art Exhibition celebrates Center for Coastal Studies
An inspiring art exhibition at the Provincetown Bookshop shines light on 50 years of research at the Center for Coastal Studies. Curated by CCS Scientist/Artist in Residence Mark Adams, the All Town Open Call Art Exhibition currently includes 55 artworks by about 50...
2025 Coastwatch
Read the latest issue of COASTWATCH, a look back at the research, rescue, and educational activities of 2024,
together with the 2024 Annual Report.
Upcoming Events
Get Involved
The Center for Coastal Studies is an independent, non-profit, member supported organization whose mission is to understand and protect our coastal communities and marine ecosystems. The ocean and its spectacular diversity belong to all of us. You can support our critical work by becoming a member, volunteering your time, making a donation, or shopping our store.
Our Sponsors
Global Seas Sponsors
Atlantic Ocean Sponsors
become a member
As a new or renewing member of the Center for Coastal Studies, you are making an active contribution to the study and conservation of the Gulf of Maine, home to the great whales of the North Atlantic and the many other fantastic varieties of wildlife for which it serves as a primary habitat.
meet our supporters
The Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) is a grant program whose mission is to support projects that enable innovative approaches to protect and restore natural resources. The Center for Coastal Studies Humpback Whale Studies, Right Whale Ecology, Marine Animal Entanglement Response, and Water Quality Monitoring programs all receive funding via the MET’s Environmental License Plate program. Visit their website for more information.
