Allied Whale is the marine mammal research and stranding group at College of the Atlantic. Founded in 1972, Allied Whale is one of the oldest marine mammal research organizations in the eastern United States. Our research in photo-identification of Humpback Whales and Fin Whales has led to the creation of catalogues of individuals that has connected the Gulf of Maine to an international community. These projects have also created long-term monitoring and investigations of marine mammal populations. More recently, Allied Whale has been working to expand our research to include marine mammal-fishery interactions, molecular ecology, and bioacoustic studies. 

As well as a research organization, Allied Whale is also a member of the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network, the Greater Atlantic Regional Stranding Consortium, and the Maine Stranding Collaborative. We are federally authorized to respond to any injured or deceased marine mammal from Rockland, Maine, north to the Canadian border. Our staff and volunteers come to the aid of animals ranging from large beached whales to injured or abandoned seal pups. We are also responsible for responding to all stranded sea turtles in Maine.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to report a stranding please email us at alliedwhale@coa.edu or call 207-288-5644.