North Atlantic Right Whales: A Species on the Brink

In January 2024, a young right whale was found dead on a Martha's Vineyard beach, a significant blow to the right whale population. On Tuesday April 30th at 5:30 pm, Vineyard Haven Library will host an in-person presentation on the status of the North Atlantic right whale, one of the most endangered marine animals on earth. Jesse Mechling, Marine Education Director for the Center for Coastal Studies, will share natural history information about the North Atlantic Right Whale as well as current CCS research including aerial surveillance, and habitat and food resource monitoring. 

Jesse Mechling is the Director of Marine Education at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown.  The ocean and ocean life are one of his great passions, and he relishes his role exciting a new generation to the wonders of the ocean.  A lifelong visitor to Cape Cod and permanent resident since 2008, he received a masters from the University of Rhode Island in Marine Affairs and was a 2005 John Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in Washington DC working for the National Ocean Service.  He has two decades of experience working in marine policy and education, and has been with the Center since 2009.