Center for Coastal Studies

What Center for Coastal Studies does

The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit marine research organization founded in 1976 in Provincetown, Massachusetts, by Drs. Graham Giese, Charles "Stormy" Mayo, and Barbara Shuler Mayo. From a field research operation in Cape Cod Bay, CCS has grown into a 40-staff scientific institution working alongside 60 adjunct scientists, interns and volunteers, supported by a 12,000 square foot state-certified laboratory facility. The organization operates fifteen-plus program lines spanning marine mammal research (Humpback Whale Studies, Right Whale Ecology, Seal Research, Shark Ecology, Marine Animal Entanglement Response), ecosystem monitoring (Water Quality Monitoring, Marine Fisheries Research, Benthic Ecology, Marine Debris and Plastics), marine geology and seafloor mapping, marine education, and the international SeagrassNet monitoring network spanning 30+ countries. Its underlying technology portfolio includes Edgetech phase-measuring sidescan sonar with 1-meter bathymetric resolution, satellite and VHF tag beacons, dense acoustic receiver arrays for shark tracking, continuous water quality monitoring stations, and a Davis Instruments weather station sharing real-time data via WeatherLink.

CCS generates revenue through a diversified non-profit model spanning membership tier subscriptions ($50–$5,000 across seven levels), one-time and recurring donations, government and foundation grants (NOAA, NMFS, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Environmental Trust, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority), educational program fees (Whale Camp for Kids at $300, Sunset Whale Watches at $100–$125), signature fundraising events (Homeport Gala raised $200K+ in 2025), corporate sponsorships across six tiers ($250–$10,000), and merchandise sales through a Square-powered online store. The organization is federally authorized under NOAA permit number 18786 to perform large whale disentanglement operations. CCS sold the public phase of a $10 million 50th-anniversary endowment campaign in 2026 after reaching $8.2M, and assumed leadership of SeagrassNet in 2025. Primary beneficiaries include federal and state marine management agencies, commercial fishermen seeking gear-modification science, families and schoolchildren served through SEA Space and Whale Camp, and individual donors/members supporting Gulf of Maine conservation.

Name

Center for Coastal Studies

Legal name

Center for Coastal Studies

Website

https://coastalstudies.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Coastal Studies is a 50-year-old Provincetown, MA-based non-profit marine research organization delivering federally authorized whale disentanglement, long-term whale population studies, water-quality monitoring, seafloor mapping, and marine education programs serving government agencies, fishermen, families, and individual donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Research and Conservation Services

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Marine Wildlife & Birding Cruises (dolphins, seals, seabirds) (THAAAIAD), Marine & Coastal Remediation (Shoreline/Port Spill Cleanup) (IMAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Marine research
• Whale disentanglement
• Marine conservation
• Ocean education
• Coastal ecology

Headquarters

HQ city

Provincetown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership program with multiple tiers from Individual ($50) to Benefactor ($5,000), providing recurring revenue and member benefits including whale watch discounts.
2. Donations and Contributions: One-time and recurring donations from individuals, with major endowment campaign targeting $10 million for long-term financial stability.
3. Educational Programs: Fee-based programs including Whale Camp for Kids ($300), Sunset Whale Watches ($100-125), and public education events.
4. Special Events and Galas: Annual fundraising events including Homeport Gala (raised over $200,000 in 2025) and Coast to Coast bike fundraiser.
5. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from National Marine Fisheries Service, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Environmental Trust, NOAA, and private foundations.
6. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling CCS branded merchandise with proceeds supporting operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for Coastal Studies conducts independent field-based marine research, operates a 24/7 Marine Animal Entanglement Response (MAER) program for entangled whales and sea turtles, and delivers marine science education through programs like the SEA Space Marine Discovery Center, Whale Camp for Kids, and public outreach events. Founded in 1976 and based in Provincetown, Massachusetts, CCS combines long-term whale population studies, coastal geology, water quality monitoring, fisheries research, and conservation advocacy.

Product overview

The Center for Coastal Studies operates as a research, rescue, and education organization offering multiple interconnected programs rather than a single unified product. The portfolio includes core research programs focused on marine mammals (humpback whale studies, right whale ecology, marine animal entanglement response), marine ecosystems (seal research, shark ecology, water quality monitoring, marine fisheries), coastal geology, and marine debris/plastics. Educational offerings include the SEA Space Marine Discovery Center, Whale Camp for Kids, and various public programs. The organization also leads SeagrassNet, an international seagrass monitoring network. Research infrastructure includes a weather station and specialized monitoring equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MAER (Marine Animal Entanglement Response): Emergency, field-based conservation effort with staff on call 24/7 to rescue and document whales and sea turtles entangled in fishing gear
• SEA Space Marine Discovery Center
• Marine Fisheries Research Program
• Right Whale Emergency Initiative

Products and services

• Humpback Whale Studies Program
• Right Whale Ecology Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 large whales disentangled since 1984
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Collaboration since 2016 for seal research including scat collection and aerial survey work across southeastern Massachusetts seal haul-outs.
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal authorization for large whale disentanglement operations. NMFS provides grants supporting the Marine Animal Entanglement Response program. CCS operates under Scientific Research and Enhancement Permit Number 18786.
• Massachusetts Division of Marine FisheriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing grants and authorization support for MAER program operations and fisheries research collaboration.
• Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState grant program funding Humpback Whale Studies, Right Whale Ecology, Marine Animal Entanglement Response, and Water Quality Monitoring programs through Environmental License Plate program.
• Dolphin FleetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCCS partner for whale watching operations, providing Sunset Whale Watch venues and offering member discount tickets for regular whale watch trips.
• Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal research partner for seal studies collaborating on aerial surveys and population monitoring in southeastern Massachusetts.
• Louisiana State University (LSU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration for seal diet DNA analysis and prey identification research using collected scat samples.
• University of Massachusetts (SMAST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine Fisheries Research Program director Owen Nichols is Ph.D. candidate at School for Marine Science and Technology.
• NOAA FisheriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAA Fisheries authorized CCS for disentanglement operations and jointly monitors North Atlantic right whale populations through aerial surveys and documentation.
• Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership sending responders to assist with disentanglement operations in Massachusetts waters.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAA partner receiving $8.6M for passive acoustic monitoring equipment in North Atlantic right whale monitoring program.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sea Education Association: Woods Hole-based ocean education and research non-profit. Directly comparable in marine education focus, tuition-based programs, and Cape Cod regional footprint, with similar scale.
• New England Aquarium: Boston-based marine conservation and education non-profit. Directly comparable as a regional marine education institution with similar public engagement programs, animal rescue operations, and Northeast U.S. donor base, though at a larger scale.
• Whale and Dolphin Conservation: International non-profit dedicated to whale and dolphin protection. Directly comparable in marine mammal conservation mission, research funding model, and advocacy orientation.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): Global animal welfare and conservation organization. CCS's existing partner (collaboration since 2016 on seal research); highly comparable in mission, donor-driven funding model, and marine mammal focus.
• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: Non-profit supporting the National Marine Sanctuary system, including Stellwagen Bank which CCS helped nominate. Directly comparable as a marine conservation non-profit with education, research, and policy functions.

Broad incumbents

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Premier marine research institution located in nearby Woods Hole, MA. Operates broadly in the same Cape Cod marine science ecosystem with much larger scale and federal grant capture; CCS partners with WHOI collaborators but competes for talent and funding.
• Marine Biological Laboratory: Major marine research institution affiliated with University of Chicago in Woods Hole, MA. Operates in the same Cape Cod marine research ecosystem as CCS, with significantly larger infrastructure and broader scientific mandate.
• Ocean Conservancy: Large national ocean conservation non-profit. Operates broadly across marine conservation, policy, and science; CCS operates as a more focused regional specialist within the same broader ecosystem.

Regional players

• Pacific Marine Mammal Center: California-based marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and education center. Similar operational model to CCS's MAER program and education mission, but serves the West Coast geography.
• Cape Cod Museum of Natural History: Brewster, MA-based regional natural history museum with marine education focus. Comparable in Cape Cod regional footprint and educational programming model, though broader in taxonomic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CCSPtown
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CoastalStudiesPtown
• Facebookfacebook.com/coastalstudies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/provincetown-center-for-coastal-studies
• Instagraminstagram.com/coastalstudiesptown

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles28 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Coastal Studies