Photos: Scientists take to the skies and spot more than 2,000 species at marine monument
A team from the New England Aquarium flew over the area in a survey aircraft and recorded 15 different marine species during the flight.
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THE TAKEAWAY
- The New England Aquarium observed more than 2,000 animals during an aerial survey.
- At the start of the survey, scientists counted about 1,800 dolphins across four species.
- The team also spotted an endangered blue whale and a small group of endangered fin whales.
New England scientists observed more than 2,000 animals during a recent aerial survey over the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, highlighting the area’s diverse wildlife.
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A team from the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life flew over the area in a survey aircraft on Aug. 16 and recorded 15 different marine species during the flight.
A whale shark was seen during the survey.
(New England Aquarium / FOX Weather)
"The diversity of sightings was truly remarkable and a testament to why the monument is such a special habitat," Katherine McKenna, an associate research scientist at the aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center, said.
At the start of the survey, scientists counted about 1,800 dolphins across four species. They later documented a sperm whale, humpback whale, 11 whale sharks, manta rays, Chilean devil rays and hammerhead sharks.
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Image 1 of 4A blue was spotted during an aerial survey over Seamounts Marine National Monument. (New England Aquarium)
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Image 2 of 4An endangered fin whale mother and calf were seen feeding near the Monument. (New England Aquarium)
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Image 3 of 4Scientists counted about 1,800 dolphins across four species during the survey. (New England Aquarium)
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Image 4 of 4The team spotted manta rays at the Monument. (New England Aquarium)
"From regular visitors like dolphins and sperm whales, to large baleen whales drawn by aggregations of zooplankton and whale sharks and manta rays following warm Gulf Stream waters, the monument brings together an incredible variety of marine life," McKenna said.
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The team also spotted an endangered blue whale and a small group of endangered fin whales, including a mother and calf feeding just outside the monument.
"Seeing a variety of threatened and endangered species actively feeding in the monument was particularly memorable and underscores the importance of protecting this productive habitat," McKenna said.
Thousands of dolphins were seen at the Monument.
(New England Aquarium / FOX Weather)
The New England Aquarium’s previous flight over the monument took place on July 13, 2026. During that survey, the team identified nearly 650 animals, including more than 600 dolphins, four endangered sperm whales, 23 pilot whales and a whale shark.
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The monument was established in 2016 as an underwater sanctuary. The nearly 5,000-square-mile area is located about 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod.
The area contains three deep-sea canyons that provide habitat and feeding grounds for a vast array of marine species.
A humpback whale swims near the Monument.
(New England Aquarium / FOX Weather)
Earlier this year, the Trump administration rolled back protections for the monument, allowing commercial fishing in the area.
The change has raised concerns among conservationists about how increased fishing activity could affect the diverse marine life that relies on the monument.