Spinnaker: An Entanglement Story, presented by Jesse Mechling of the Center for Coastal Studies

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome Jesse Mechling, Director of Marine Education at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, for a presentation on Spinnaker–an 11-year-old humpback whale, whose skeleton provides important lessons for marine conservation. This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, November 4th at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.

Spinnaker is a 36-foot humpback whale skeleton installed at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown in 2017. Spinnaker was an 11-year-old humpback, known to the Center since she was a calf, who tragically died after suffering many fishing-gear entanglements throughout her short life. Hear her story and marvel at images of the only large whale skeleton on Cape Cod, and the only whale skeleton in the world with the entanglement that led to her death still lodged in her bones. This program is suitable for all ages and tells the important message of long-term scientific studies and conservation efforts, as well as serious threats marine animals still face today. 

Jesse Mechling is the Director of Marine Education at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown. The ocean and ocean life are among his great passions, and he relishes his role of introducing new generations 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 over two decades of experience in marine policy and education, and has been with the Center since 2009. He lives in Eastham with his family.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

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.   

Would a Whale Fit in the Library?

Cynde McInnis, owner of The Whalemobile, will be bringing her life-sized (43 ft.) inflatable whale, Nile, to Tisbury on August 6 at 4 pm, as part of the Vineyard Haven Public Library’s summer reading program. Because the whale is too big to fit in the Library, the program will be held at the Tisbury School Gym.

The presentation begins with a slide show introducing students to the toothed whales and baleen whales that are found off the coast of Massachusetts in the Gulf of Maine. Sounds of each species and videos of humpbacks are included. After the assembly, students will meet Nile, a 27-year old humpback whale whom McInnis has seen almost every summer since 1994. They can go inside of the inflatable whale and see ways in which whales are similar to humans. Students will learn about Nile’s migratory path, how many calves she’s had, as well as how researchers learned this information. Artifacts such as baleen, teeth and bones are available for children to see and feel. At the end of the presentation, students will learn about what they can do to keep the oceans safe for all the animals.

2014 is McInnis’ 21st season with Cape Ann Whale Watch out of Gloucester, MA as Lead Naturalist and Education Director. She has studied whales in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. She brings her passion for whales as well as her vast knowledge of these animals into schools to help shape future generations of ocean advocates.

The Whalemobile aims to captivate students and help them connect with the oceans, both emotionally and intellectually. Children will come away with knowledge of and a fascination for whales that will be a spark that inspires them to care about the oceans and the environment around us.

This free program is supported by a grant from the Anderson Foundation to the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public library.