Research
Allied Whale
Pioneering methods in whale science
On a tiny, remote island in the Gulf of Maine, student researchers make science history watching whales
Allied Whale is a leader in photographic identification (photo-ID) of humpback and finback whales, using these techniques for over 40 years to advance whale conservation and science. Our work combines student-driven research, global collaboration, and public participation to better understand whale populations and their movements.
North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog
Allied Whale published the first North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog (NAHWC) in 1977, documenting 120 whales; today, the NAHWC includes sightings of more than 10,000 individual humpbacks from feeding and breeding grounds across the Atlantic. The catalog is built through open collaboration, with researchers, whale watch operators, and citizen scientists throughout the North Atlantic contributing sightings and photographs. Anyone can submit fluke photos of North Atlantic humpback whales—submissions must include the location, date, and, if available, a whale name or reference number. After identification, Allied Whale shares any re-sighting information with contributors.
Interested in submitting your humpback whale photos to our catalog?
The North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog (NAHWC) is one of the longest-running and most comprehensive marine mammal research efforts in the world. First published in 1977 with just 120 identified whales, the catalog has grown through nearly five decades of research to include sightings of almost 13,000 individual humpback whales from feeding and breeding grounds across the entire North Atlantic Ocean.
This long-term, basin-wide perspective has transformed our understanding of humpback whales. By tracking individuals across years and oceans, the NAHWC has been central to discoveries about migration routes, life history, population structure, and behavior. The catalog has supported numerous scientific publications and continues to inform conservation and management decisions at regional and international scales.
The NAHWC is built on open collaboration. Researchers, whale watch operators, and citizen scientists throughout the North Atlantic contribute photographs and sightings, making it a truly community-driven scientific resource. Anyone can submit fluke photos of North Atlantic humpback whales; submissions should include the date, location, and, if available, a whale name or reference number. Once a whale is identified, contributors receive important re-sighting information connecting individual observations to a much larger story of ecology.
- Mount Desert Rock: Students conduct hands-on research on this remote island, studying whales and marine ecosystems. Learn more →
- Bar Harbor Whale Watch partnership: Spring through fall, Allied Whale collaborates with the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company to collect sightings and train student interns in marine mammal science and public engagement.
- Internship opportunities: Interns gain experience in data collection, research, and education aboard whale watch vessels. To apply, email alliedwhale.internship@gmail.com (January–March).
The Antarctic Humpback Whale Catalog is an international project studying the connections between humpback whales in the Southern Ocean and those in lower latitude waters. Researchers and community members are encouraged to contribute; you can submit a sighting to the Antarctic Humpback Whale Catalog using the form above.
- Years of the North Atlantic Humpback: International project addressing humpback whale population size, migration, and breeding behavior.
- Ongoing partnerships: Allied Whale’s research is powered by collaborations with scientists, organizations, and citizen scientists worldwide.
Stories from the Field
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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.
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Humpback whale becomes first new exhibit at Maine State Museum
News Center Maine reports on College of the Atlantic Allied Whale Research Associate Dan DenDanto ’91 leading the rearticulation of two whale skeletons that form the centerpiece exhibit.
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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.