History of CCSN

Cape Cod has been a hot spot for marine mammal strandings for hundreds if not thousands of years. Most theories attempting to explain this phenomenon focus on the geomorphology of the Cape itself, as it sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean like a hook, potentially trapping and disorienting marine animals. In the mid 1980’s, in response to this propensity for strandings, a group of animal welfare and conservation organizations on Cape Cod informally collaborated to respond to stranded marine mammals under the authorization of the New England Aquarium. Although they made great strides in improving stranding response, these organizations recognized the need for a more cohesive, full-time stranding response organization.

In August 1998, the Cape Cod Stranding Network, Inc. (CCSN) was incorporated as a non-profit organization dedicated to improved stranding response on Cape Cod. CCSN became operational in November of 1998 with two staff members and has grown tremendously since. Today, CCSN operates with five staff members, two response vehicles, two mass stranding trailers, and two rescue boats. CCSN is an active member in the Northeast Regional Stranding Network with a coverage area encompassing the entire Cape Cod region and extending from the Cape Cod Canal south to the Rhode Island border (approximately 700 miles of coastline).

Many of the groups that initially formed CCSN serve on our Board of Directors today and still have field volunteer teams to aid in stranding response. The following Member Organizations provide CCSN with support and funding: