Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
400 Little Harbor Road, #1103 03801 Portsmouth, NH, US

We've moved into our new offices at Carey Cottage, and look forward to running programs there hopefully soon! In the meantime, we wanted to thank Historic New England for hosting us in the Gov. Langdon House for the last 15 years - the move is a little bittersweet as we made lots of great memories here! We hope to continue partnering with Historic New England in the coming years!

Thank you, Brad! We appreciate your support!

BIG thank you to our newest Adopt-a-Beach group Clean Wave! They picked up 1 pound of trash (over 400 individual pieces) from Long Sands Beach in York, ME! They even found the first Hooksett disk of the season!

2020 was another banner year for ocean sunfish sightings. We found 110 majestic sunfish on 50 trips (38%), beating last year's record of 100 sunfish on 31% of trips.

Happy New Year! We're finally moved into our new offices at Carey Cottage. The Cottage got a beautiful new clock this week! Here's the interesting story behind it. https://www.seacoastonline.com//carey-cottage-/4075019001/

The new year's almost here, and we can't wait! We look forward to working with you to help protect whales in the new year. You have until 11:59 PM to make your tax-deductible 2020 gift! Your gift of any amount makes a huge difference, and will help us reach our annual fund goal (we're so close!!). Click here to give now: http://www.blueoceansociety.org/donate/ Thank you in advance for your support! Image credits: Dianna Schulte, Jen Kennedy, Kaela Preston, Melanie White, Rebecca M.

Join us for a look back at 2020! From art contests and virtual programs to beach cleanups, whale watches and Blue Ocean Discovery Center visits, we made the best of this year. Want to help us do more in the coming year? Make a tax-deductible year-end gift here: http://www.blueoceansociety.org/donate/

Resolving to get outside or do more to help the environment this year? Consider joining us for a private beach cleanup, or adopting your own beach! Shown here is group from Sprague Operating Resources LLC that joined us for a cleanup this fall. Thanks to everyone who has done cleanups in 2020! http://www.blueoceansociety.org//school-an/group-cleanups/

In 2020, sea turtle sightings were more prevalent than usual! Nine leatherbacks, one loggerhead and one Kemp's Ridley (pictured below) were seen.

Happy Holidays!

Here's another fun craft to try during winter break! You don't see many Mola Mola crafts!

The answer to last night's question, "Who was the most frequently seen humpback whale on Jeffreys Ledge this summer?" is SPOON!!! The magnificent Spoon was seen 40 times, on 33 trips over 24 days! Pinball came in a close second at 37 sightings on 28 trips over 20 days.

Quiz: Who was the most frequently seen humpback whale on Jeffreys Ledge this summer?

Learn to fold your own origami whale with our volunteer Eileen!

Happy Solstice! Summer will be back before we know it... here's a look back at Quixote's calf in June. https://www.facebook.com/BlueOceanSociety/videos/963258114127866/

Ran into Leave No Trace Refillery, LLC at Tri-Town Farmers Market today. So grateful refill places are becoming easier to find! Give a shout out to your favorite refill store or eco-friendly business below! Locally, we also have We Fill Good and The ReFill Station... who are we missing? If you're able, please remember these folks in this season of consumption, and as we head into 2021. Let's try to make our holidays and New Year more plastic free!

Last summer, we saw 242 balloons on the water during our 130 whale watching trips. Over 30% of the total debris items we recorded were balloons. Balloons blow- don't let them go.

LAST DAY FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY: Shopping local is a great way to help whales AND local businesses! We have whale adoptions, eco-friendly apparel and donations in honor of a loved one. Check it all out here: https://blueoceansociety-974650.square.site/ We're processing orders as quickly as we can, but recommend you order by the end of the day today if you'd like your gift in time for Christmas.

Throwback to the times when we could do cleanups without masks and social distancing! Here are longtime volunteers Krissy and Susan at our February 2020 beach cleanup. These two have helped with a variety of projects, including mailings, educational programs, cleanups and whale watches. Thanks to all our volunteers who have stuck by us, during the pandemic and over the years! #TBT #throwback More on our volunteer opportunities: http://www.blueoceansociety.org//work-with-us/volunteering/

*Event date change* Due to inclement weather, we will be postponing our live feed this week to Friday (Dec.18) at 10:00 AM. Don't forget to comment which animals you'd like to see again!

Life hack from the 1910's! (FYI, spermaceti is a waxy substance found in the head of a Sperm Whale.)

Don't forget to tune into our last virtual creature feature of 2020 this Thursday (Dec 17) at 10:00 AM. If there are any animals that you'd like to see again let us know in the comments!

Looking for a fun, no-clutter gift? Adopt a local whale! This is Hornbill, a humpback whale first seen in 1977. He's still regularly seen in our area! He's one of 8 whales we have for adoption. You can get a mailed or digital version. More info: http://www.blueoceansociety.org/how-to-helpd/adopt-a-whale/ Image courtesy Melanie White

A new whale species has been discovered!! https://phys.org/n/2020-12-species-beaked-whale-mexico.html

Hello everyone, hope you're having an excellent morning! We will not be filming a live video today, our Gulf of Maine video will be rescheduled to a later date. Enjoy this short video about horseshoe crabs. If you have any questions feel free to comment them as we are eager to answer those for you. Tune in next Thursday (Dec 17th) at 10:00 AM as we will be filming our 2020 Creature Feature Finale!

Join us tonight as our Executive Director Jen Kennedy joins Melissa Paly from Conservation Law Foundation to talk about climate change along the coast! Free virtual presentation presented by Climate Action New Hampshire.

Gift wrapping is a huge contributor to waste during the holidays. This holiday season try tapping into your creative side and wrap your gifts the eco-friendly way! Check out our latest blog post for some inspiration! http://www.blueoceansociety.org//eco-friendly-gift-wrappi/

Happy Tuesday!! Two right whale calves were seen over the weekend off Georgia and Florida. Woo-hoo!

We've spent weeks talking about the animals that live here but not about the Gulf of Maine itself. Join us this Thursday (Dec. 10) at 10:00 AM to learn why the Gulf of Maine is such a unique place!

The Northern Gannet has one of the widest wingspans of Western North Atlantic seabirds at 6 feet!

Want to hear about how climate change is impacting the coast? Join us at this virtual event next Thursday!

How much do you know about local mollusks? Check out this morning's mollusk-erific presentation from the Blue Ocean Discovery Center!

Minke whales get their scientific name (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from their pointed nose! When translated, it means baleen whale with a pointed rostrum (or nose). They are also known as the "little piked whale".

Don't forget to tune into the Blue Ocean Discovery Center's page tomorrow (Thurs. Dec. 2) at 10:00 AM to learn more about mollusks!

Alright, whale fans! Can you identify these familiar humpbacks? Leave your guesses in the comments with each image. THANK YOU to all of you who support our whale research and other programs by donating, volunteering, interning and helping us spread the word about these fascinating creatures! We couldn't do it without you! All images were taken in summer 2020 by BOS Director of Research Dianna Schulte, and Research Associate Melanie White, aboard Granite State Whale Watch

Your #GivingTuesday gift can help whales like Owl... one of our favorite humpbacks! Your support will help us educate and inspire thousands in the coming year: http://www.blueoceansociety.org/donate/

Thank you, Joanne, for supporting us on #GivingTuesday!

Just a reminder on this #CyberMonday - you can adopt a local whale for the holidays! We have mailed and digital versions available. Adopt a local whale and learn about it all year long! http://www.blueoceansociety.org/how-to-helpd/adopt-a-whale/

Last chance! See the award-winning Entangled Film with us (virtually)! Must register by 11/30 at 12 PM EST to receive Zoom link: http://www.blueoceansociety.org//entangled-film-screening/

The bones in a whale's flipper look very similar to the bones in our hands!

Thank you for your support! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

THANK YOU for helping us get to this place! We're so excited about our new space at Carey Cottage and how it will help us do more to protect marine life... and we couldn't have done it without you. Read more and take a virtual tour: http://www.blueoceansociety.org//our-new-offices-at-carey/

Feeling so grateful for you this week! Thanks to you, we'll be able to do more to help marine life from our new space in Carey Cottage. Thank you for helping us get to this place! Read more and take a virtual tour: http://www.blueoceansociety.org//our-new-offices-at-carey/

Did you know that baleen whales (humpback, minke, fin, blue whales, etc.) have two nostrils (blowholes) just like most all other mammals do? However, toothed whales (dolphins, porpoises, orcas, pilot whales, etc.) have just one nostril! The mysteries of evolution!

In one week, we'll be virtually screening the award-winning film Entangled. Join us! Register in advance - limited space available. After the film, we'll have a discussion with filmmaker David Abel and Dianna Schulte, our Director of Research. http://www.blueoceansociety.org//entangled-film-screening/

This just in! Two days ago, the team that is dredging Rye Harbor spotted a small pod of common dolphins just east of the Isles of Shoals! Whale watching season definitely doesn't end in October!

Today's moment of serenity from the new digs. So grateful to be here, with all this salty inspiration! GoodWork Seacoast

Film Screening! Tomorrow, 11/19, the Portsmouth High School Eco Club is showing The Story of Plastic. Afterward, there will be a panel discussion featuring our staff and colleagues from Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter and Portsmouth City Council. More info and registration here: https://www.seacoastonline.com//portsmouth-hig/6310244002/

Want to learn about some of our local friends? Join us live at 10 AM tomorrow, 11/18/20!

Our summer and fall interns volunteered for a grand total of 2524 hours this year! Way to go team! We hope you all got a wealth of experience studying whales (and dolphins, ocean sunfish, sharks, sea birds, turtles....). We miss you!

Huge THANK YOU to the students from the University of New Hampshire who picked up 2 pounds of litter (over 700 individual pieces) from Hampton Beach State Park in Hampton, NH!

Join us virtually at our Blue Ocean Discovery Center this Thursday (19 November) at 10:00 AM to learn about some crabby creatures!

Big THANK YOU the students from the University of New Hampshire who picked up 58 pounds of trash (623 individual items) from Foss Beach yesterday! Schedule your own beach cleanup today!

Great reminder that #BalloonsBlow, don't let them go. They're the top litter item we see during whale watches, too.

Learn about whales in today's feed from our Blue Ocean Discovery Center! Thank you to Helene Bartsch, our fall intern, for all her help (today's her last day). In this video, she shares more about her experience and the research we do on the boat!

We are saddened to learn of the passing of a young humpback whale this week on Cape Cod, MA. The 10-month old whale was identified as the calf of a whale known as Lynx. We hope to learn why this whale died at such a young age. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company Allied Whale at the College of the Atlantic

Beach fanatics: we need you now, more than ever! Join our Adopt-a-Beach program and make a difference while getting outside! Find more info and an application here: https://www.blueoceansociety.org/bea/adopt-a-beach-program/

We are so happy to share this news! As we prepare to celebrate our 20th anniversary, we're looking forward to moving into a beautiful new space! Thanks to all who have supported us so far, including GoodWork Seacoast and the anonymous foundation that made this move possible! We look forward to welcoming you to Carey Cottage when it is safe to do so! https://www.seacoastonline.com//portsmouths-hi/6172034002/

VOTE!!

Join us this Thursday (November 5th) at 10:00 AM for our virtual creature feature! We will be talking about sea squirts!

Educators (formal and informal)! It's the last day to sign up for our Microplastics Lab Workshop, which is being held this Wednesday. Join us! http://www.blueoceansociety.org//microplastics-workshop-f/ (project in collaboration with The Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean and Boothbay Sea and Science Center, with funding from National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA))

Anyone else missing summer already? Dug back into the archives for this one... taken July 4, 2005.

Happy Halloween!!

Right whale populations are in dire straits, but they can still recover. We recently saw this film during the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Annual Meeting, and wanted to bring it to you. Please join us on Monday, November 30 for a virtual screening of the award-winning documentary Entangled. The evening will feature a virtual screening (you'll be sent a Zoom link), plus a Q&A; with filmmaker David Abel and others. Tickets are available here: https://checkout.square.site/buy/HCZ7L7TUUK2I74VE5NL5JFA6

We're live now with sea anemones at our Blue Ocean Discovery Center!

Glitter is made from the same plastic as single-use water bottles. Glitter is instant microplastic, and like all plastics, it never goes ‘away’. Glitter is the perfect size to nibble on for numerous creatures in our ocean. Want to try some alternatives to glitter? Check out this blog post by BOS volunteer Christine Campanella! http://www.blueoceansociety.org//what-do-glitter-and-plas/

Join us live from our Blue Ocean Discovery Center this Thursday (10/29) at 10:00 AM to learn more about sea anemones also sometimes called flowers of the sea!

Take a note from our resident sea stars and bring your little ones down to the Blue Ocean Discovery Center! Make reservations online (blueoceansociety.org) and come check out our cool critters for yourself!

An entangled humpback whale was seen off New York this week! I don't think this is a whale we saw this summer but still send your best thoughts that this whale perseveres. Entanglements in fishing gear are one of the leading causes of mortality for large whales. We need to find a way to keep fishers fishing and whales swimming freely.

Big THANK YOU to the volunteers from Ameriprise Financial Services who picked up 34 pounds of litter (more than 200 pieces) from Wallis Sands State Beach in Rye, NH!