How We Know the Whales: Tracking Humpbacks in the Gulf of Maine
If you’ve ever spotted the spout of a whale off the coast of Maine, you know how magical that moment can be. But did you know that researchers and scientists can often identify exactly which whale you saw?
That’s right—humpback whales, the same species as our beloved inflatable whale Chunk, are individually tracked and documented through a massive collaborative effort. This process helps researchers understand whale populations, migration patterns, health trends, and even family histories. And much of it starts with a simple sighting.
A Whale of a Catalog
Humpback whales are identified primarily by the unique markings on the underside of their tails (also called flukes). These markings act like fingerprints—no two flukes are exactly alike. Scientists photograph these flukes and use them to build and maintain the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog, a centralized database that documents thousands of individual whales across decades.
So if you snap a photo of a whale’s tail in Maine, there’s a chance that the whale is already in the catalog—and if not, your sighting could be an important new entry!
Meet the Ocean’s First Responders
When a humpback is spotted close to shore, in distress, or has sadly stranded, it’s dedicated organizations like Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) and Allied Whale that jump into action.
Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is a vital nonprofit that responds to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, provides rehabilitation to sick or injured animals, and helps educate the public about conservation. They’re often the first call when a whale is found in trouble along the coast.
Allied Whale, based at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, is a leader in whale research. They manage the Gulf of Maine Humpback Whale Catalog and conduct field research on marine mammals throughout the region. If a humpback whale is spotted off the coast of Maine, it’s likely Allied Whale has information about its past sightings.
These organizations work with researchers, boaters, and beachgoers to collect data and respond to situations that affect marine wildlife. Their work is not only essential for whale conservation but also helps educate the public about the fragile balance of our ocean ecosystems.
How You Can Help
If you see a whale while out on the water, take a picture if it’s safe to do so—especially of the tail! Then report your sighting to a local organization like Allied Whale. If the whale appears stranded, entangled, or injured, call the Marine Mammals of Maine hotline immediately at (800) 532-9551.
By being an extra set of eyes on the ocean, you become part of the conservation network working to protect these gentle giants.
At Within the Whale, we’re proud to honor the work of these organizations in our programs and share the stories of real whales—like Chunk—with students and communities across Maine. Because the more we know about these incredible animals, the more we can do to protect them.
Book a Visit
To learn more about whales, Within the Whale is booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. At the heart of our program is a life-size inflatable humpback whale—and yes, you can go inside it!
Every tail has a tale—let’s keep telling their stories.