Over 20 Years of Whale Research that Makes a Difference

Over 20 Years of Whale Research that Makes a Difference

Yankee Whale Watching has long been committed to working towards the protection of the magnificent whales that visit Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Jeffrey's Ledge. As our new chapter begins this year at our new location, we also welcome an association with Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

Yankee Fleet Educational Mission

Yankee Fleet has been actively sponsoring whale research for over two decades. In fact, many of the scientists from the Center for Oceanic Research and Education have been involved with Yankee Fleet for ten years or more.

The product of this research has been a richer understanding of the habitat and behavior patterns of these magnificent creatures - by both the scientific community and for hundreds of thousands of individuals who have discovered what its all about from a Yankee Whale Watch.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary was designated by an Act of Congress in 1992. Virtually the size of Rhode Island, the site protects an 842-square-mile stretch of open water and seafloor habitat at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay between Cape Ann and Cape Cod.

It is a major feeding area for the great whales and exhibits some of the highest diversity of fish species in the Gulf of Maine.

"Stellwagen Bank is world-renowned as a whalewatching destination and historically important as a fishing ground," says the National Ocean Service.

Stellwagen Bank is unlike any other whale feeding area in the world.

Jerry Hill of Yankee Fleet was the first appointee to the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council from any whale watching organization. This select group has been identified and chosen to be leaders in the stewardship of this valuable ecosystem.

The mission of the National Marine Sanctuaries is to conserve, protect, and enhance the biodiversity, ecological integrity, and cultural legacy of these marine protected areas. With the research accomplished by CORE, Yankee Fleet and others, the future for Stellwagen looks bright.

Interesting Links

Ask the Scientist

Ask a CORE scientist a question you may have about whales, other marine mammals, the ocean or other related topic. Look for your question to be answered and other questions.

New England Seacoast Institute

The New England Seacoast Institute (NESI) was founded in 1999 by a group of biologists from the Harvard Marine Science Review (HMSR) who recognized a need for increased awareness and research of coastal issues, as well as for the promotion of science to New England's primary school students

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)

WDCS was founded in 1987, dedicated to the conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Allied Whale

Allied Whale, College of the Atlantic's marine mammal research group, was founded in 1972 to conduct research for the effective conservation of marine mammal populations and their habitats, and to train students to enter careers related to those goals. They curate the North Atlantic Humpback and Fin Whale catalogs.

Northeast Right Whale Sightinig Advisory System

Developed in 1996, this system provides real-time Right Whale sighting information to the commercial shipping industry and other marine traffic, friom aerial and shipboard surveys

Gerry Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Santuary

The sanctuary's mission is to conserve, protect, and enhance the biological diversity, ecological integrity and cultural legacy of the sanctuary, while facilitating compatible use.