Since 2006, Quoddy Link Marine has been a proud collaborator with multiple organizations studying the health and population dynamics of whales in the Gulf of Maine including fin whales, humpbacks and North Atlantic right whales. We collect data (location and behaviour) and images on every departure and share that information with our colleagues. Collecting opportunistic data from a whale watching platform can provide valuable insights into the health and movement of individuals throughout their Northern feeding grounds.
North Atlantic right whale data is shared with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium. We are members of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium and are involved in the naming of North Atlantic right whales.
Humpback data is shared with Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, MA. We are also involved in the naming of Gulf of Maine humpbacks which is curated by CCS.
Humpback and fin whale data is shared with Allied Whale at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME.
Photographing humpbacks from the Quoddy Link. Please feel free to ask questions if you are curious about the research collaboration with CCS and AW looking at the movements and health of humpbacks in the Gulf of Maine
Sometimes when you spend a lot of time with whales they choose to spend time with you as well! PLEASE NOTE we did NOT approach this humpback calf. This curious young whale approached us, we were in neutral and allowed the whale to move on before we shifted into gear.
We also share sightings of white sharks with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and sea turtle sightings with the Canadian Sea Turtle Network
We are a proud Charter Member of the Bay of Fundy Whale Research and Conservation Society which focuses on long-term population studies, entanglement response, habitat protection and education/outreach.
Entanglement is currently one of the greatest threats to whales. When a whale becomes entangled, wrapped or tangled in fishing gear (active fishing line, ghost gear, aquaculture line, etc), a response may be mounted if conditions such as sea state, distance from shore and/or remaining daylight are favourable. Quoddy Link Marine is committed to STAND BY the whale until rescue, the Campobello Whale Rescue Team, part of the Canadian Whale Institute, arrives on scene. Standing by an entangled whale makes locating the whale dramatically easier for rescue and it may also allow us to learn more about the whales behaviour and possibly the entanglement configuration that we can pass on to the rescue team.
Danielle, our senior naturalist and research coordinator is also a proud Ambassador for the Canadian Whale Institute and the Campobello Whale Rescue Team.
If you are out on the water in the Maritimes and you encounter a dead or distressed marine animal please CALL the Marine Animal Response Society at 1-866-567-6277 (If you spend time on the water in the Maritimes please consider adding this number to your contacts). If the whale is entangled please STAND BY if possible – do NOT try and disentangle the whale yourself, do NOT cut any trailing lines or buoys, take photographs and keep lines of communication open
