Right Whale Breaching

Photo courtesy and copyright Jesse Stuart Mechling.

Follow along and join the conversation as the SSV Corwith Cramer  hosts SEA Sailing Symposium on North Atlantic Right Whales. 

With experts from NOAA, New England Aquarium, Conservation Law Foundation, Center for Coastal Studies, and New Bedford Whaling Museum, this symposium will demonstrate the power of collaboration across disciplines in understanding the threats facing North Atlantic Right Whales (NARWs), addressing these threats, and developing and implementing solutions. 

This voyage begins in Charleston, SC on April 23, and sails along the NARWs migratory path to New York City, NY.

With over 50 years of creating interdisciplinary education programs focused on our oceans, SEA is excited to provide those from afar the opportunity to engage in the conversation as we sail the migratory path and explore the challenges facing North Atlantic Right Whales. 

The SSV Corwith Cramer will continue its voyage from NYC to Cape Cod Bay, a well known foraging ground for right whales. Upon the Cramer‘s return to Woods Hole, MA, SEA will host a final event to share outcomes and the value of collaboration in addressing ocean conservation.

What to Expect

Through the combined expertise of the diverse organizations represented, participants will gain a comprehensive look at the ongoing efforts to protect NARWs.  From the collaborative recovery efforts by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium to those by Center for Coastal Studies’ project to create a map of historic feeding areas for right whales, this symposium will demonstrate the value of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing complex ocean issues. 

Each day on the SSV Corwith Cramer, experts will give presentations and facilitate group discussions about the work their organizations are doing to protect right whales. Summaries of the presentations will be shared daily through the blog below with the recorded presentations being available at the end of the voyage.   

Questions submitted throughout the voyage will be addressed during the Instagram LIVE event on April 28 when the SSV Corwith Cramer is docked in New York City. 

Invited Experts

Colleen Coogan, Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Branch Chief, NOAA Fisheries

Erica Fuller, Senior Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation 

Allison Henry, Fishery Biologist, Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Amy KnowltonNew England Aquarium Senior Scientist Kraus Marine Mammal Conservation Program, SEA Class W-52 

Erin Meyer-Gutbrod, Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina

Jesse Mechling, Marine Education Director, Center for Coastal Studies 

Robert Rocha, Associate Curator of Science and Research, New Bedford Whaling Museum

Sara Tennant, Passive Acoustic Research Group, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, SEA Class C-294

Lindsey Transue, Passive Acoustic Research Group, Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Symposium Blog

Part 1

Sunday, April 23

Monday, April 24

Tuesday, April 25

Wednesday, April 26

Thursday, April 27

Friday, April 28

Part 2

Monday, May 1

Tuesday, May 2

Wednesday, May 3

Thursday, May 4

Friday, May 5

Right whales, Medusa and calf. Photo courtesy Center for Coastal Studies. CCS NOAA Permit 25740-01.

How YOU can be part of the conversation

Submit a question to be answered during the SEA Instagram LIVE event on April 28.