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Author: Agnes Mittermayr

Published on Leave a comment on Congratulations Katie!

We are happy to announce that Dr. Katie Castagno is the new director of the Land-Sea Interaction Program!

As Director of the Land-Sea Interaction Program, Katie is excited to continue and expand the the Cape Lab's pivotal research into the physical processes responsible for coastal evolution across multiple temporal and spatial scales. She looks forward to leading innovative research that furthers our understanding of coastal systems in the face of climate change and to incorporating K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students into our research program.

She is currently developing new methods to monitor sedimentation for the Herring River Restoration Project (Wellfleet and Truro, MA), which when completed will be the largest tidal restoration ever conducted in New England. These robust monitoring protocols and the lessons learned throughout the restoration process can be applied to salt marsh restoration projects on the Cape and beyond. Katie is eager to continue her research with the Duck Harbor tidal breach, which is also connected to the Herring River system and will provide key insights into the management of the Herring River Restoration Project. She's excited to continue working with sediment coring, which can tell us about how a system has changed over hundreds if not thousands of years. Among many other things, sediment cores can record storm events, show changes in primary productivity, and indicate habitat shifts–which can then give us insight into the future.

Published on Leave a comment on Special Issue on Shallow Water Mapping

We are proud to announce the publication of a special issue on Shallow Water Mapping in Coastal Environments: Recent Research, Current Technologies, and Multimodal Approaches - by guest editors Monique LaFrance Bartley and Mark Borrelli.

Estuaries and Coasts

Published on Leave a comment on Current research from CaPE Lab members Lisa Sette and Dan Solazzo
Analysis of anthropogenic debris in Gulf of Maine double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auratus) nests

The Center for Coastal Studies, in collaboration with scientists at Manomet Inc., and the Shoals Marine Laboratory completed a project in fall of 2021 focused on two breeding colonies of double-crested cormorants: Isle of Shoals, Maine and at the Provincetown, Massachusetts breakwater.

The southern Gulf of Maine is subject to significant amounts of anthropogenic debris; the results of coastal development, fishing and tourism industries. The teams quantified anthropogenic materials incorporated into a random sampling of nests and were able to assess the efficacy of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones, for monitoring nesting sites (Report in progress).

Published on Leave a comment on Job Announcement – Hydrographer/Marine Technician

** this position has been filled - Welcome Pedro! **

Hydrographer/Marine Technician

The Coastal Processes and Ecosystems Laboratory (CaPE Lab) is looking for a skilled Hydrographer/Marine Technician and energetic team member in a dynamic, science-based lab who is interested in living in a unique setting on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. The CaPE Lab is a joint research effort between the School for the Environment within the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) and the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

The successful candidate will lead the day-to-day operations of nearshore, shallow water acoustic surveys and contribute to ongoing scientific studies. This person will be stationed at The Center’s Hiebert Marine Lab in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The Center and UMB have several acoustic instruments including the Edgetech 6205 phase-measuring sidescan sonar (550/1600 kHz), the Edgetech 4125 (550/1600 kHz), and two Teledyne RDI Sentinel V ADCPs (1000 kHz). The CaPE Lab has two main acoustic survey platforms, a customized, shallow-draft, research vessel (27’ Eastern) and a custom-built 12’ ultra-shallow draft (~0.5 ft) pontoon.

Main responsibilities are the acquisition of hydrographic data during day cruises based primarily from the Marine Lab in Provincetown and occasionally other locations. Also, the candidate will be the lead for the processing of bathymetric data. Days at sea will vary but typically range from 20-30 days per year. Qualifications include:

  • Experience at sea on vessel-based, acoustic
  • Experience with hydrographic data acquisition, preferably using Hypack and
  • Experience, or aptitude with the planning of field operations and
  • Experience, or aptitude with troubleshooting hydroacoustic & oceanographic
  • Experience with hydrographic data processing and visualization through software packages such as Hypack, CARIS, SonarWiz, Fledermaus, and
  • A Master’s Degree in a relevant field is preferred, though candidates with long-term professional experience will be considered.
  • Experience with phase-measuring sidescan sonar operations and data processing a

Hydrographers, technicians, and other specialists are encouraged to apply. Ample opportunities exist for program expansion, as well as integration with other UMB and CCS programs, depending on candidate skills and interests.

Position comes with a comprehensive benefits package and salary is commensurate with experience. Please submit cover letter and CV via email to:

Dr. Mark Borrelli: mark.borrelli@umb.edu and at mborrelli@coastalstudies.org and

Stephanie Richardson: srichardson@coastalstudies.org

Review of applications will begin after September 10th and will continue until the position is filled.

Published on Leave a comment on SonarWiz Donates Software for Graduate Student

Chesapeake Technology International has graciously donated a full processing license for their industry leading, sonar data processing software, SonarWiz, for the summer of 2021 to Bryan McCormack, a graduate student in the Coastal Processes and Ecosystems Lab (CaPE Lab). Bryan will be using this software to look at ways in which the data from a Phase-Measuring Sidescan Sonar, the Edgetech 6205, can be used to enhance shallow water mapping of benthic habitats and better understand the properties and characteristics of the seafloor. Thanks to everyone at CTI!

In the photo above, we can observe bathymetric depth data overlaid on the simultaneously collected, co-located sidescan data. These two datasets together allow for an unprecedented look into shallow water environments, while eliminating vessel time and instrument complexity. Bryan will use these data, as well as a third set of reflectivity backscatter data, to help identify and locate key features of shallow water habitats.

Published on Leave a comment on New England White Shark Research Consortium
The Cape Lab and the Center for Coastal Studies is partnering with researchers from several universities and federal, state, and private organizations to form the New England White Shark Research Consortium (NEWSRC).

Bryan Legare deploying shark receivers, ADCP
The collaborators will use new and innovative technologies and research methods to study white sharks within the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Using the collective knowledge and resources of the group, the consortium will not only advance the current knowledge of the species but also enhance public education and safety within this region.
“The only way to truly understand the great white shark population is through direct collaboration between scientists, managers, and stakeholders throughout the region,” said Legare. “The combined expertise and experience of each institution is key to protecting this vulnerable species.”
NEWSRC includes scientists from Maine Department of Marine Resources, Rhode Island Department of  Environmental Management, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, UMass Amherst, New England Aquarium, Sulikowski Shark and Fish Conservation Lab, University of Maine, The Atlantic Shark Institute, the NOAA Fisheries Apex Predators Program, New Hampshire Department of  Natural & Cultural Resources, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
To learn more click here

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Published on 1 Comment on Job Announcement – Hydrographer/Marine Technician

The Coastal Processes and Ecosystems Laboratory (CaPE Lab) is looking for a skilled Hydrographer/Marine Technician and energetic team member in a dynamic, science-based lab who is interested in living in a unique setting on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. The CaPE Lab is a joint research effort between the School for the Environment within the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) and the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

The successful candidate will lead the day-to-day operations of nearshore, shallow water acoustic surveys and contribute to ongoing scientific studies. This person will be stationed at The Center’s Hiebert Marine Lab in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The Center and UMB have several acoustic instruments including the Edgetech 6205 phase-measuring sidescan sonar (550/1600 kHz), the Edgetech 4125 (600/1600 kHz), and the Teledyne RDI Sentinel V ADCP (1000 kHz). The CaPE Lab has two main acoustic survey platforms, a customized, shallow-draft, research vessel (27’ Eastern) and a custom-built 12’ ultra-shallow draft (~0.5 ft) pontoon.

Main responsibilities are the acquisition of hydrographic data during day cruises based primarily from the Marine Lab in Provincetown and occasionally other locations. Also, the candidate will be the lead for the processing of bathymetric data. Days at sea will vary but typically range from 20-30 days per year. Qualifications include:

  • Experience at sea on vessel-based, acoustic surveys.
  • Experience with hydrographic data acquisition, preferably using Hypack and Discover.
  • Experience, or aptitude with the planning of field operations and logistics.
  • Experience, or aptitude with troubleshooting hydroacoustic & oceanographic equipment.
  • Experience with hydrographic data processing and visualization through software packages such as Hypack, CARIS, SonarWiz, Fledermaus, and ArcGIS.
  • A Master’s Degree in a relevant field is preferred, though candidates with long-term professional experience will be considered.
  • Experience with phase-measuring sidescan sonar operations and data processing a plus.

Hydrographers, technicians, and other specialists are encouraged to apply. Ample opportunities exist for program expansion, as well as integration with other UMB and CCS programs, depending on candidate skills and interests.

The position comes with a comprehensive benefits package and salary is commensurate with experience. Please submit cover letter and CV via email to:

Dr. Mark Borrelli: mark.borrelli@umb.edu and at mborrelli@coastalstudies.org

and

Stephanie Richardson: srichardson@coastalstudies.org

 

Review of applications will begin after October 9th and will continue until the position is filled.

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Published on 1 Comment on Sharks on the Move

Check out the latest interview on "Shark Tales" on NBC10 Boston to learn about our work on the fine-scale movement of White Sharks. Cape Lab biologist Bryan Legare talks about the work he is conducting at Head of the Meadow in Truro.

This important work is a collaboration between the Center for Coastal Studies, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

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