New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) is a non-profit environmental organization based in southeastern Massachusetts. We are an all-volunteer organization that is dedicated to the protection and conservation of marine wildlife that live and feed in the coastal waters around Cape Cod and the SouthCoast of Massachusetts.
NECWA focuses on local issues in our area and collaborates with various private, government, and non-government organizations to achieve our many goals. Through our research projects and educational outreach activities, we work to protect the whales, turtles, ocean sunfish, basking sharks, dolphins, seabirds, seals, and the other unique coastal marine wildlife of New England.
All fundraising events help support projects and activities related to educational outreach, research, and conservation. 100% of all donations goes to the work we do on behalf of marine wildlife. Mission
Ocean Sunfish & Basking Shark Projects
The New England Basking Shark Project (NEBShark) and the New England Ocean Sunfish Project (NEOSunfish) are community-sighting networks for two coastal pelagic fish commonly sighted in the waters off New England.
NEBShark and NEOSunfish are working towards the collection of sighting data and photographic images 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 and ocean sunfish 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 our community-sighting network. MORE
Report A Sighting
NECWA sponsors a number of community-sighting networks asking people to report their sightings of basking sharks, ocean sunfish and diamondback terrapins that they see from a boat or from a beach. Click on the links below to report your sighting and add your observations to our long-term sighting database. This information is helping biologists and scientists better understand and protect the unique coastal marine wildlife that lives off the shores of New England.
Basking Shark
Use this form to submit your sighting of a live or dead Basking Shark that you saw from a boat or from the shore.
report sighting
Ocean Sunfish
Use this form to submit your sighting of a live or dead Ocean Sunfish that you saw from a boat or from the shore.
report sighting
Diamondback Terrapin
Use this form to submit your sighting of a live or dead Diamondback Terrapin that you saw from a boat or from the shore.
report sighting
Torpedo Ray
Use this form to submit your sighting of a live or dead Torpedo Ray that you saw in coastal waters or from the shore.
report sighting
Box Turtle
Use this form to submit your sighting of a live or dead Box Turtle that you saw on land or on the shoreline.
report sighting
Thresher Shark
Use this form to submit your sighting of a live or dead Thresher Shark that you saw from a boat or from the shore.
report sightingOther Marine Wildlife
Marine wildlife occasionally strand along the shores of New England, including bays, rivers and tidal marshes. If the stranded animal is alive, it is important to get experienced personnel on site as soon as possible. If the stranded animal is dead, then various organizations will want to examine the carcass to support their research and management efforts. For information on the government or non-government organizations in your area that respond to strandings, as well as the dos and don'ts for responders, visit our Marine Wildlife Stranding page.
Our Partners & Sponsors
