NECWA Projects
Our projects are multifaceted and encourage the involvement of many different sectors 
of the general public. Project participants include: The average person with a love of the ocean, college and high school students interested in pursuing marine biology or environmental studies as a profession, local K-12 teachers, as well as members of the commercial fishing industry. As a result, projects supported by NECWA allow the education of student interns and local teachers affiliated with Bridgewater State College , collaborations with marine scientists aboard commercial whale watch boats,
and even the cooperation of captains of fishing vessels and local recreational boaters who are in a perfect “position” to help with sightings.
Our goals for these projects include:
- Building awareness of coastal marine species living in the Gulf of Maine.
- Encouraging public involvement in conservation issues through participation in a citizen-sighting network for basking sharks and ocean sunfish.
- Improving our scientific understanding of basking sharks and ocean sunfish through the expansion of a sightings database.
- Producing a “catalog” for known basking sharks based on natural body markings and pigmentation patterns.
- Providing real-world experiences to high school and college students interested in the sciences as well as other fields of study.
- Introducing young people from diverse backgrounds to the possibility of marine biology as a viable career choice.
At present, our main Projects are the New England Basking Shark Project (NEBShark) and Project Marine Wildlife Research. As we raise public awareness of the basking shark and the ocean sunfish, we can recruit citizen scientists to help us better understand the habits and habitats of these large coastal pelagic species. Increased awareness of one species can lead to both involvement and action on behalf of many species.
NEBShark
The New England Basking Shark Project focuses on the basking shark, a large filter-feeding shark that is commonly sighted in the waters off New England. The basking shark, Cetorhinus maximus, is one of the largest fish in the world, second only in size to the whale shark. Although giants in size - reaching lengths of 38 feet and weighing up to 8,500 pounds, basking sharks feed on zooplankton, which are tiny organisms that drift in the ocean. The basking shark is not considered a threatened or endangered 
species, but it is protected in many areas for it is vulnerable to habitat destruction, entanglements in fishing gear, and vessel strikes.
NEBShark is collecting sighting data and photographic images of basking sharks to create a comprehensive database that can be used to learn more about the biology and ecology of these gentle giants. This database will help scientists better understand the population size, distribution and movements of basking sharks in the waters of the Gulf of Maine. Sighting data is being provided by private individuals as well as government and non-government organizations. Much of the sighting information is provided by interested members of the general public through a community sighting network.
Trained public volunteers, called Coastal Wildlife Observers, report sightings of basking sharks that they observe from a boat or from a local beach. All sighting information is shared with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries to support their research activities on basking sharks, including tracking individual basking sharks using PAT and satellite tags. To learn more about NEBShark and the amazing people involved, visit www.nebshark.org.
Marine Wildlife Research
NECWA collaborates with Bridgewater State College through the establishment of internship programs for students with a variety of interests. Students work with members of NECWA to study various aspects of the unique coastal wildlife in the Gulf of Maine. Aboard Captain John Boats, a commercial whale-watching boat out of Plymouth, 
students collect sighting data and photographic images of local marine wildlife sighted offshore. This information is analyzed and shared with other interested government and non-government groups too increase our understanding of local marine wildlife. Internships also provide meaningful opportunities and real-life experiences for undergraduates in their chosen field of study.
Data and photographs collected by BSC interns are used in various research projects and support educational outreach within the New England community. As our knowledge base and awareness of basking sharks, ocean sunfish, finback whales, humpback whales and other marine species increases, we develop a greater appreciation for these animals and the other unique wildlife that can be found off our New England shores.
Since our mission includes both educational and research efforts, we have already formed many collaborations in the region including a principal 
collaboration with Bridgewater State College (BSC). These connections both stimulate the
exchange of scientific information and support conservation efforts by allowing participation of many and varied individuals or groups in our mission. To date, we have also established partnerships with a number of community and government organizations as well as with businesses and public institutions.
Such collaborations include:
- Bridgewater State College (BSC)
- Captain John Boats, Plymouth, MA
- Cape Cod Community College
- Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
- Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
- Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch, Provincetown, MA
- Whale Center of New England
- Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
- Protected Species Branch of NOAA Fisheries
- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Cape Cod Stranding Network
- Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary - Mass. Audubon
- Brewster Museum of Natural History
- Lobsterman’s Associations
- Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Associations
In addition, “citizen volunteers” and observers of the environment have been recruited from local community groups and have to date reported many sightings of basking sharks and ocean sunfish in Cape Cod Bay.
How You Can Help
We hope to both sustain and expand our initial efforts therefore we are seeking support for
various aspects of our existing programs from a variety of sources.
We have had some revenue for startup - both donations, in-kind services, and income from small fundraising projects.
We are currently reorganizing our capabilities to include both capital building - an administrator to search for funding - and a search for additional program funding so that we can be on more sustainable financial footing and expand our efforts now that we are established.
If you can help in a monetary way please send a check or money order to:
- NECWA - New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance
- 11 Clarence Soule Drive
- Middleboro, MA 02346
Or use our new online donation service.
Please click the button below.
