North Atlantic Right Whales Produce Highest Number of Births This Calving Season Since 2009
;s Anderson Cabot Center.Aerial survey teams from Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas conducted regular flights on the calving grounds throughout the season. By the end of the calving season, most of the right whales had begun migrating north. At least 18 of the 23 mother-calf pairs have been seen in Massachusetts waters so far this spring. Research teams from the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center have documented over one-third of those pairs in Cape Cod Bay this past month.There are three first-time mothers this season: “Callosity Back” (Catalog #3760), “Mirror&rdquo
Blue Institute Reveals New BX6 Blue Excelerator Cohort
Network since 2022.Across its first five cohorts, the Blue Institute said it has supported 49 alumni companies, including 42 in climate tech-related sectors. Those alumni report an 84% survival rate and have raised more than $24 million in follow-on funding. Thirteen alumni have established a Massachusetts presence or are active pilots in MA. WithBX6, the organization said it has now accelerated 61 companies.The BX6 “Blue Dozen”Ocean HealthFocus: Protecting biodiversity, monitoring species, and ecosystem restoration.AirSpotter Assist of Quincy, Massachusetts, which is developing AI-enabled
MIT Researchers Reveal "Ammonia-Aluminum" Fuel for Prolonged Ocean Exploration
A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has introduced a transformative chemical fuel system that could redefine buoyancy control for long-range autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).Published in Cell Reports Physical Science, the research demonstrates that reacting activated aluminum with aqueous ammonia significantly enhances gas generation and energy density compared to traditional aluminum-water chemistry.This breakthrough provides a viable path for extending mission duration and reducing costs for underwater platforms that currently rely on lower-energy-density lithium-ion
General Dynamics Mission Systems Continues Support of Trident II Strategic Weapon System with New Contract
with FCS development, production, sparing and installation activities for three Columbia-class hulls along with additional labs and trainers kits. Continuous development for the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) FCS will occur under this contract, as well.Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (87%); Bangor, Washington (1%); Kings Bay, Georgia (1%); Loanhead, Midlothian, United Kingdom (4%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (3%); Groton, Connecticut (3%); and Quonset Point, Rhode Island (2%). If all options are exercised, work will continue until December 2032
URI Computer Simulations Show How Strong Ocean Currents Reduce Size of Surface Waves
one-third of waves—can be reduced by 0.4-2.2 meters, or roughly 1-7 feet, and the dominant wave period can be shortened by about 0.3-1.5 seconds.The simulations required a powerful computer, so the researchers remotely accessed URI’s high-performance computing nodes installed at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke, Massachusetts. URI formed a partnership with the computing center in 2021.Ginis is hopeful that the team’s research, which was funded by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program/Office of Naval Research, will be adopted by weather
MRECo Develops Two Marine Energy Test Sites in Massachusetts
The Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative of New England (MRECo) is developing and improving two ocean testing sites in Massachusetts: the Bourne Tidal Test Site (BTTS) in the Cape Cod Canal and the Cuttyhunk Test Range (CTR) off Cuttyhunk Island.Together, these sites give innovators a safe, affordable, and permitted way to deploy new ocean technologies in the water, bridging the gap between lab experiments and real-world use.The Bourne Tidal Test Site, located in the Cape Cod Canal, is a platform built specifically for testing tidal energy devices and marine sensors in fast-moving water. The site
Middle Schoolers Participate in NUWC Division Newport's Annual SeaPerch Derby
Seventeen teams comprised of middle school students competed in the second annual Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport SeaPerch Derby held on December 6 at New Bedford High School in Massachusetts.Using a remote-controlled underwater vehicle known as a SeaPerch, which was constructed by the students, participating teams hailed from five middle schools—Normandin, Keith and Roosevelt in New Bedford; Kickemuit in Warren, Rhode Island; and Pennfield in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.With assistance from Division Newport scientists and engineers, the SeaPerch Derby regional competition is
HII Delivers Virginia-Class Submarine Massachusetts to US Navy
HII announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has delivered Virginia-class fast-attack submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) to the U.S. Navy.Massachusetts is the 12th Virginia-class submarine delivered by NNS, and the 25th built as part of the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat. It is the fifth Navy vessel named for the commonwealth of Massachusetts.More than 10,000 shipbuilders from NNS and Electric Boat participated in the construction of Massachusetts, alongside thousands of suppliers across the country, including more than 20 in Massachusetts that support
Sofar Ocean, ARII Host Coastal Hazards Webinar
at 11 AM PST / 2 PM EST. In this webinar, Dr. Joshua Humberston (Director, Marshfield Coastal Hazard Lab at ARII), Lara Brait (Director of Industry Partnerships, ARII), and Jeremy Devaney (Executive Director, ARII) will discuss how ARII:- Addresses Coastal Hazards by deploying Spotters along Massachusetts’ coastline to deliver real-time ocean insights, support storm preparedness, and increase public awareness of changing coastal conditions.- Connects Data with Communities by partnering with local agencies and NIST to integrate Spotter data into hazard analysis and community resilience planning
February 2026
