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2020 Recap
The challenges of 2020 were difficult to say the least, but we adapted and are stronger than ever! We look forward to what the future brings!
Our research continued ! We successfully implementing our new digital data collection system. This allowed for less data entry time and errors and quicker results and reporting. 
Three all-day survey cruises and 127 public whale watch trips were conducted, educating nearly 5,000 socially-distanced passengers. Over 50 humpback whales (including 4 new calves) were documented.
We hosted 9 summer and 2 fall interns. They volunteered more than 2,500 hours and gained valuable experience in research and education. 
A record number of sea turtles were sighted! Above is a leatherback turtle feasting on a lion’s mane jelly. 
New beach cleanup protocols were developed and electronic data collection was implemented to reduce the amount of materials and “touch points” during cleanups. 
Programs went virtual! From virtual happy hours and brainstorming sessions to film screenings, art contests and interactive microplastics labs, we kept spreading the word about the importance of protecting marine life.
In 2020…
- Our research continued by successfully implementing our new digital data collection system, Mysticetus. This allowed for less data entry time and errors and quicker results and reporting.
- Three all-day survey cruises and 127 public whale watch trips were conducted. During the whale watch trips, we educated nearly 5,000 socially-distanced passengers.
- Over 50 humpback whales (including 4 new calves) were documented. Amazing trips included the magical day when both Spoon and Chablis breached (see photo)!
- A record number of sea turtles were sighted!
- We hosted 9 summer and 2 fall interns. They volunteered more than 2,500 hours and gained valuable experience in research and education. Thanks to our summer interns for going on this masked adventure with us!
- New beach cleanup protocols were developed and electronic data collection was implemented to reduce the amount of materials and “touch points” during cleanups. Data was collected via the app Marine Debris Tracker – something we’ve been wanting to test out on wide scale, and the pandemic gave us the perfect excuse. We saw PPE at nearly every cleanup.
- Programs went virtual! From virtual happy hours and brainstorming sessions to film screenings, art contests and interactive microplastics labs, we kept spreading the word about the importance of protecting marine life.
2021 and Beyond…
This year will begin in a beautiful new office at Carey Cottage in Portsmouth, NH. This space will allow us to fulfill long-term goals for our research and education programs.
This office has more meeting space, ocean access and endless salty inspiration with its beautiful views! Thanks to an anonymous donor, we are able to rent this space long-term at below-market rates.
New Programs
With your support, our plans this year will include:
- Teaching students virtually using a new STEM activity that engages them in research
- Educating thousands of people about plastics with our Microplastics Educator Workshop and new lesson plan
- Conducting more survey cruises to better understand the behavior and distribution of whales and other marine life in our area.
- Helping protect right whales through distributing our unique “Booth in a Box” and creating more online activities
- and much more!
New Plan
In 2021, our new strategic plan will begin. Our core programs will continue, but will be expanded and enhanced using your feedback!
Last winter, we conducted a strategic planning survey of members, volunteers and other stakeholders and incorporated this feedback into our new strategic plan. This includes increasing awareness of our research, expanding educational offerings, incorporating climate change messaging into our programs and making our internship program more diverse, equitable and inclusive.
