Tag: marine life

Maria Mitchell Association | Nantucket, MA
Island Science

Release Day for Marine Life Sept. 2

The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA), Nantucket’s Science Center, will hold its annual animal “Release Day” this Saturday, September 2 from 10 am to 1 pm at the MMA Aquarium located at 28 Washington Street, Nantucket. Admission is free and the public is invited to this event. This free event […]

Humpback Whale | Nantucket, MA
Island Science

Hump(b)ACKs

~ by Dr. Sarah D. Oktay, Director, University of Massachusetts Nantucket Field Station ~ One of the many luxuries that Nantucket visitors can experience is the chance to see a humpback whale, and just a few weeks ago we had one cavorting very close to the island in the shallow […]

Risso's Dolphin
Island Science

The Grey Grampus or Risso’s Dolphin

• by Dr. Sarah D. Oktay – Director, University of Massachusetts Nantucket Field Station • Over the past few weeks, a deceased Risso’s Dolphin has been seen off Madaket as its sad corpse is returned to the shoreline by incoming waves. At least three people have emailed or texted me […]

Giant Oarfish on Nantucket
Island Science

Strange Visitors – Giant Oarfish

• by Dr. Sarah D. Oktay, Director, University of Massachusetts Nantucket Field Station • Two photos accompany this article and they may look like an elaborate gimmick or hoax but they are photos taken by Tyler Bradbury and Mike Strazzula of a giant oar fish that washed up on Nantucket […]

Island Science

Dangerous Beauties – Jellyfish

by Dr. Sarah D. Oktay Managing Director UMass Boston Nantucket Field Station As the summer temperatures warm up our harbor and offshore waters, floating translucent creatures begin to crowd our shores and become a concern for swimmers.  Unfortunately, as ocean waters warm world-wide and we continue to over-fish or endanger […]