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
The Marine Education and Outreach program 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
Humpback Whale Disentangled off NY in Massive Three-Day Multi-Agency Response
On Monday, July 27, the Center for Coastal Studies Marine Animal Entanglement Response hotline (CCS MAER) received notification from the US Coast Guard of a whale in distress about ten miles east of the entrance to the harbor of New York City. The MAER team then spoke...
IUCN moves North Atlantic right whale to “Critically Endangered” list
July 10, 2020 Statement by Dr Charles "Stormy" Mayo Director, CCS Right Whale Ecology Program With the recent listing by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) of the North Atlantic right whale as Critically Endangered on the Red List of Threatened...
Updated: Dead North Atlantic Right Whale Found off New Jersey
Friday, June 26 Shortly before 1 pm on Thursday, June 25, researchers at the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) were notified about a dead whale sighted off New Jersey. The CCS Right Whale Ecology Program was conducting an aerial survey in the New York Bight at the time...
Upcoming Events
Webinar: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center
January 13th, 2021The Town of Provincetown, Center for Coastal Studies, NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and a Community Steering Committee are hosting a public webinar on Wednesday, January 13 at 7 pm to […]
Sea Change Film Shorts
November 15th, 2020The Center for Coastal Studies is going virtual for our first ever short film festival! SEA CHANGE FILM SHORTS 2020 is available to stream FREE online anytime starting November 15! Hosted by WBUR’s […]
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.

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.