Articles by Anderson Cabot Center

Right whale Medusa, with the jellyfish-shaped callosity on the tip of her head circled.

Right Whales

Meet the Newly Named Right Whales of 2022

December 14, 2022

Meet the twenty newly named right whales for 2022 and learn more about them, including the reasoning behind their names....Read More

Policy

Environmental Justice Outcomes Take Center Stage at COP27

December 5, 2022

We worked with COP27 student delegate, Logan Keen, as he traveled to Egypt to learn more about the role of the ocean in the international climate negotiations....Read More

Right Whales

Facing Human-Caused Threats, Right Whales’ Downward Trend Continues

October 24, 2022

Human-caused threats have resulted in the right whale population trending downard for more than a decade....Read More

A sea turtle mural in downtown Macuro

MCAF

Environmental Education in Macuro, Venezuela

July 28, 2022

New England Aquarium MCAF grantee Clemente Balladares shares his work promoting sea turtle conservation in Macuro, Venezuela....Read More

Caroline Collatos

Sharks

Sandbar Sharks Around Nantucket: I Know What They Did Last Summer

May 13, 2022

Feeling the animal swim out of your hands with their new tags, ready to contribute data for their species is the most satisfying part. Our first shark of the summer swims off with his new tags....Read More

AquaLife Conservancy staff working with local traders. Photo by AquaLife Conservancy

MCAF

Status and Conservation of Sharks and Rays in Ghana with Focus on Threatened Shark-like Rays

May 13, 2022

Population declines are more severe for some groups of marine species, whose life-history traits make them extremely vulnerable to exploitation. Such is the case for shark-like rays....Read More

The SAG seen on our second survey day was less energetic but consisted of four right whales we had not seen on our first survey day, including Catalog #4150 and Catalog #4501 seen here. Photo by Katie Graham/ACCOL/NEAq taken under NOAA research permit #25739

Field Work

Southern New England Surveys, Take Two

April 28, 2022

The SAG seen on our second survey day was less energetic but consisted of four right whales we had not seen on our first survey day. (Taken under NOAA research permit #25739.)...Read More

Recently hatched olive ridleys beginning their journey back to the ocean. The crawl count program help monitor and evaluate sea turtle hatcheries and the 20% conservation quota.

MCAF

Celebrating 25 Years of Counting Sea Turtles in Guatemala

March 18, 2022

Celebrating 25 years of counting sea turtles in Guatemala with ARCAS....Read More

Waiting in the cold for right whales to resurface was made easier by our warm float coats. Photo by Kate McPherson/ACCOL/NEAq

Field Work

Southern New England Surveys, Take One

March 7, 2022

For the first time in over 40 years of field research, our Right Whale Team conducted boat surveys in southern New England waters. ...Read More

Right Whales

Identifying Soon-to-be Right Whale Moms

December 17, 2021

Scientists can test whales for the hormone progesterone to detect pregnancy....Read More

Musketeer

Right Whales

Meet the Newly Named Right Whales of 2021

December 6, 2021

Once a year, a handful of unnamed whales are nominated by researchers for naming. This year, 18 right whales were named....Read More

bycatch infographic

Bycatch

Sustainable Seafood Supports Healthy Oceans

October 27, 2021

Seafood is a significant source of protein worldwide, but many seafood lovers might not know it might come at a cost to other species and the environment. Learn how you can help....Read More

Entangled Whale - GULLY

Right Whales

Right Whale Population Declines for 10th Straight Year

October 25, 2021

Scientists say there are just 336 North Atlantic right whales left in the world. The species struggles due to entanglement, vessel strikes, and the shifting of food sources due to climate change....Read More

BlueSwell underwater illustration with whale and technology

Bluetech

Startups Focused on Cutting Edge Ocean-related Technologies

March 31, 2021

From kelp burgers to building high-speed wifi communication networks underwater, the businesses that are part of the BlueSwell Incubator Program illustrate creative problem-solving and marine science....Read More

#3720 (unnamed)

Right Whales

Meet the newest North Atlantic right whale mother and calf pairs

February 14, 2021

December through March is calving season for North Atlantic right whales. This year has been special for the critically endangered right whales because of the number of calves and first-time mothers. ...Read More

Marine Mammals

A Tiny Piece of Whale Blubber Leads to Big Results

February 12, 2021

A new study by scientists at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life expands our toolkit for understanding North Atlantic right whale health—using only a tiny piece of blubber!...Read More

Press Release

Recent press releases available here »

January 1, 2021

Read the latest news from the New England Aquarium and ACCOL....Read More

A right whale in the vicinity of a large vessel in the Bay of Fundy. Photographer: Yan Guilbault. Credit: Anderson Cabot Center, New England Aquarium. Collected under Canadian SARA permit.

Right Whales

Right Whale Consortium Releases 2020 Report Card Update

November 9, 2020

356 whales. That’s all scientists believe remains of the iconic North Atlantic right whales. ...Read More

bowhead whales in waters off Alaska

News & Features

Predicting the When and Where of Whale Migration

November 2, 2020

A new study, led by scientists at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, improves our ability to predict how whales travel through their vast and varied ocean habitat....Read More

Right whale seen from aerial survey

Field Work

Aerial Survey Extends Dynamic Management Area

October 20, 2020

As a result of the Aquarium’s survey, vessels in the area will continue to be asked to reduce their speeds to less than 10 knots until Oct. 20 to protect right whales....Read More

Right Whales

Dead Right Whale Calf Identified

July 2, 2020

New England Aquarium researchers have confirmed the identity of a dead whale discovered off New Jersey as a young 6-month-old calf...Read More

North Atlantic right whale

Right Whales

Right Whale Catalog Improves Website

March 24, 2020

The New England Aquarium recently improved the website for the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog, a directory of photographs and physical details of more than 750 living and dead right whales....Read More

MCAF in Gambia Part 1

MCAF

We went to The Gambia – Part 1

February 25, 2020

MCAF Fellow Captain John Flynn, founder of Wildseas, launches a sea turtle conservation program in Gambia....Read More

a whale appears in the ocean near a large ship

News & Features

Redfern Asks Big Questions About Earth’s Biggest Animals

February 6, 2020

This past fall, the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life welcomed Dr. Jessica Redfern, an ecologist who asks big questions about the Earth’s biggest animals. ...Read More

greenback parrotfish

MCAF

Protecting the Endangered Greenback Parrotfish of Brazil

January 21, 2020

A Marine Conservation Action Fund-supported project is promoting a series of actions regarding the protection of the greenback parrotfish, one of the most threatened parrotfish on Earth....Read More

Harmonia, right whale Catalog #3101, was sighted with her newborn calf about 7 nautical miles off Cumberland Island, GA, on January 2, 2020.

Right Whales

Right Whale Discovered Pregnant in August, Spotted with New Calf

January 6, 2020

Harmonia, a storied and well-studied North Atlantic right whale discovered pregnant in August, was spotted on January 2, 2020, with new calf off the Georgia coast....Read More

News & Features

Science Countdown to 2020!

December 31, 2019

It was an exciting year for the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life. Here's a wrapup of some of our favorite science stories of 2019. ...Read More

Pregnant right whale blow hole sampling

Right Whales

Predicting the Birth of a Right Whale Calf

December 23, 2019

Predicting the Birth of a Right Whale Calf...Read More

Leatherback sea turtle with sattelite tag

Sea Turtles

Tracking a Leatherback Sea Turtle

December 6, 2019

To better understand and protect leatherback sea turtles, Dr. Kara Dodge of the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life affixes a variety of tags to their shells....Read More

North Atlantic right whale

Right Whales

New Right Whales to Sponsor!

December 2, 2019

If you’re looking for an especially unique gift this holiday season, consider sponsoring a right whale!...Read More

right whale head

Policy

Aquarium Submits Comments on Whale Entanglements

September 23, 2019

The Aquarium submitted a letter to NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service regarding the efforts to reduce the risk of entanglement of North Atlantic right whales. ...Read More

Snake Eyes the North Atlantic right whale

Press Release

Another Dead Right Whale Identified

September 19, 2019

The highly endangered right whale found dead off Long Island was identified by Aquarium researchers as Snake Eyes, a male at least 40 years old with a well-known and highly detailed life history....Read More

Two humpbacks slapping the surface with their pectoral fins.

Right Whales

Playful Humpbacks in the Bay of Fundy

June 30, 2019

One was even doing a double pec slap (with both flippers)....Read More

Abigail presents a check to Anderson Cabot Center Vice President Dr. John Mandelman.

News & Features

Fourth-Grader Donates Bake Sale Proceeds to Anderson Cabot Center

January 10, 2019

Hear from the Anderson Cabot Center's youngest donor, 9-year-old Abigail Willi, who hosted a bake sale to help support our science! ...Read More

dolphins in haiti

MCAF

MCAF: Haiti Ocean Project Collaborating with Fishermen

September 19, 2018

Many of the species that inhabit waters off Haiti are not well documented. With support from our Marine Conservation Action Fund (MCAF), the Haiti Ocean Project is working to change that....Read More

Three oceanic whitetip sharks off of Cat Island, The Bahamas.

Sharks

Oceanic Whitetip Sharks in VR: Google Expeditions off Cat Island

June 26, 2018

The research team from the Anderson Cabot Center and our partners are bringing conservation efforts to the classroom with Google Expeditions....Read More

[IMG] Biodiversity of Cashes Ledge.

News & Features

We Support Science-Based Decision-Making for Healthy Oceans

June 20, 2018

The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life responds to the new National Ocean Policy released by the White House....Read More

[IMG] Solomon Daviela practices Line Intersect Transects with Dr. Frejaville

MCAF

MCAF Update: Coral Reef Project Leads to New Opportunities for Students in Madagascar

June 8, 2018

With support in part from MCAF, a team of scientists established a monitoring program to track effects of climate change, fishing regulations, and other human impacts on the reefs of Nosy Ankao....Read More

Conferences and Collaborations

How Selective Breeding Could Improve Aquaculture Sustainability

March 23, 2018

Members of Fisheries and Aquaculture Solutions team talked about solutions to seafood sustainability at the Boston Seafood Expo. ...Read More

[IMG] A photo of an Atlantic Cod.

Conferences and Collaborations

Selective Breeding as a Solution to Aquaculture Sustainability

March 12, 2018

Are you attending the 2018 Boston Seafood Expo? Join the Anderson Cabot Center's Fisheries and Aquaculture Solutions team for a panel discussion on Tuesday. ...Read More

right whale entangled in fishing line

Press Release

Feces collected from entangled North Atlantic right whales reveals ‘sky-high’ stress levels

November 30, 2017

Endangered Species Research journal publishes pioneering whale feces research; also being used to investigate high numbers of deaths this summer....Read More

A group of eight Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus).

Press Release

Exceptional Diversity Seen at National Marine Monument

November 21, 2017

A recent aerial survey of the remote Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument revealed an exceptional abundance and diversity of marine mammals. ...Read More

A group of eight Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus).

Field Work

Aerial Team Conducts Survey in Northeast Canyons Marine National Monument

November 16, 2017

The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium aerial team conducted a survey in the Northeast Canyons Marine National Monument on November 12, 2017. ...Read More

epaulette shark

Sharks

Epaulette Shark Research: Thermal Stress

November 10, 2017

Learn about research being done on the epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum), a small bottom-dwelling species....Read More

Indus River dolphin

MCAF

MCAF: Population Study of Indus River Dolphin

October 16, 2017

Researchers share hopeful findings from their recent study of the endangered Indus River dolphin after a recent expedition in Pakistan made possible in part by the Marine Conservation Action Fund....Read More

small fishing village in Africa

MCAF

MCAF Update: Working with Fishermen to Save Sea Turtles

August 26, 2017

Working with Fishermen to Save Sea Turtles...Read More

joe howlett with a right whale and calf in background

Right Whales

Mourning the Loss of a Colleague

July 13, 2017

The New England Aquarium and Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life pay tribute to Joe Howlett, a beloved and respected Canadian whale rescuer, fisherman, and colleague....Read More

a sand tiger shark

Sharks

Local Sharks: Studying Sand Tiger Sharks

July 12, 2017

New England residents may not know that a lesser-known shark species, the sand tiger, has experienced a recent resurgence in the region. Learn more about the work of Dr. Jeff Kneebone....Read More

Oceanic white-tipped shark

Field Work

Bahamas Expedition: Studying Oceanic Whitetip Sharks

May 25, 2017

A team of scientists from the Anderson Cabot Center recently took part in an annual, multi-institutional research expedition to the Bahamas to study the severely threatened oceanic whitetip shark....Read More

scientists look at slides

MCAF

Lessons in Identifying Southern Right Whales

May 1, 2017

Scientist Florencia Vilches was trained in the management of a long-standing catalog of southern right whales in Argentina. See how she is greatly increasing the number of sightings....Read More

measuring dead turtles carapace

MCAF

Shining a Light on Sea Turtle Deaths in Senegal

May 1, 2017

Very little work has been done to understand the unnatural causes of death, abundance, and seasonality of the different sea turtle species using this region. MCAF grantee Tomas Diagne decided to act....Read More

People sit on side of boat looking at map

MCAF

Surveys Begin to Track Reef Health in Madagascar

January 9, 2017

With support from MCAF, a team of scientists is establishing a collaborative monitoring program to track reef health around. Join researchers for the first few days of surveys....Read More

humpback whale fluke with mountains in backgroun

Press Release

Studying Humpback Whales off Madagascar as Energy Exploration Gears Up

January 5, 2017

A new study by our researcher finds that humpback whales off Madagascar travel much further than previously thought, a conservation concern as offshore energy exploration expands in the region....Read More

aerial view of island in madagascar

MCAF

Tracking Reef Health in Madagascar

December 8, 2016

Find out how the Anderson Cabot Center is helping a team of scientists track the effects of climate change, fishing regulations, and other human impacts on reefs in Madagascar....Read More

deep sea corals in northeast coral canyons and seamounts marine national monument

From the President

A Monumental Day for Our Oceans

September 15, 2016

The designation of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a win for science, a win for vibrant oceans, and, perhaps most important, a win for future generations....Read More

a shipping box with a tablet scanning labels

Press Release

Researchers win grand prize to develop technology to stop illegal wildlife trafficking

September 7, 2016

The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium and Roger Williams University won a prestigious award recently to develop technology that will help port inspectors find illegally ...Read More

right whale fluke with scars

Press Release

New Research: Entanglements Threaten Right Whale Recovery

September 1, 2016

The most endangered large whale species in the Atlantic is threatened by increasing rates of lethal and debilitating entanglements and a dramatic 40% decline in birth rates since 2010. ...Read More

How Entanglement and Stranding Affects Stress Levels In Leatherbacks

Press Release

Leatherback Entanglement and Stress Paper

July 12, 2016

New research from the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium shows that the world’s largest sea turtles suffer moderate to severe increases in certain hormones....Read More

Massachusetts Energy and Environment Secretary Matt Beaton

Press Release

State Awards Funding for Research to Reduce Whale Entanglements

June 16, 2016

Massachusetts grants $180,000 to the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium to develop a modified rope for fishermen to reduce entangled endangered whales....Read More