Allied Whale
Whale research shaping our understanding of the North Atlantic
Origins
Sustaining whale research through place and partnership
Whether aboard our research boats, posted on a remote island in the Gulf of Maine, or researching on campus, College of the Atlantic students and researchers make history observing and protecting whales. COA Allied Whale is a leading marine mammal research group, known for its pioneering whale identification catalogs, field research, and student-driven science.
Immersion
Research and learning in the field
Allied Whale gives students hands-on experience in marine science. Whether tracking humpbacks across the Atlantic or studying local coastal ecology, students learn by doing—often in challenging, isolated environments where focus and resilience are key.
Related areas of study: Marine science, Field ecology & natural history
Catalog
The North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog
With more than 11,000 individual whales identified, the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog is the most comprehensive catalog of its kind in the North Atlantic Ocean. Built through decades of collaboration among researchers, photographers, and citizen scientists, the catalog plays a vital role in understanding whale migration, population trends, and conservation needs.
Members of the public can contribute directly to this global research effort by submitting whale photos or sightings to nahwc@coa.edu. Even a single fluke photograph can help scientists track individual whales across oceans and over time, strengthening collective knowledge of these remarkable animals.
Participation
Get involved and support Allied Whale
Contact Allied Whale:
Allied Whale
College of the Atlantic
105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
207-288-5644
alliedwhale@coa.edu
Bar Harbor Whale Watch is a key research and funding partner, supporting both live studies and marine mammal response.
Allied Whale resources and links
Stories from the Field
A whale of a legacy: Maine Beer Company and COA Allied Whale
From a modest gift to a soaring skeleton, decades of partnership continue to protect Maine’s majestic marine creatures. Read More
Humpback whale becomes first new exhibit at Maine State Museum [News Center Maine]
College of the Atlantic Allied Whale Research Associate Dan DenDanto ’91 leads the rearticulation of two whale skeletons that form the centerpiece exhibit. Read More
Research highlights whale movement
A major study of humpback whale movement patterns across the North Atlantic basin led by Lindsey Jones MPhil ’18 is illuminating the behavior of at least one endangered species of whale. Read More
Student Resources
Thorndike Library
Research expertise, specialized databases, and guidance for independent and collaborative projects across disciplines.
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