‘This Is Emergency Rescue’ - HCT Winter Talk Offers Up-Close View Of Marine Animal Strandings

HARWICH – If you're an ocean sunfish, Cape Cod Bay can be a tragic trap. A few wrong turns and suddenly you're in shallow water, maybe caught in a confusing harbor with the fast-moving tide draining out beneath you.

"They've been up in our area off the Cape all summer, having a great time, eating and resting," said Carol "Krill" Carson, founder and president of the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA). "And then in the fall, they realize that they need to head south and get out of this area, because they can deal with cold temperatures for short periods of time, but not for prolonged periods of time."

That's when trouble can start. And that's when NECWA volunteers spring into action, patrolling the coast and trying to rescue animals caught in tough situations.

Carson will provide details of the quest to help these animals during her presentation "Saving Marine Misfits on Cape Cod," a Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) Winter Talk, on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Monomoy Regional High School. The spacious auditorium will provide ample seating for everyone who wishes to attend. Admission for the program is $5 per person, payable at the door.

Strandings of ocean sunfish and torpedo rays can happen anywhere along the coast, but the Wellfleet Harbor area has the highest concentration, said Krill. Other hotspots include the low tide flats of Orleans and Brewster, Onset Harbor and the Buttermilk Bay area in Bourne.

"What we've learned over the years is that we have to get down into these difficult areas where the animals could be stranding, and start scouting about four or five hours before dead low tide," said Carson. "Then we can kind of preemptively start the rescue process ahead of time. That gives us time to stage, to get out there in kayaks and try to help that animal."

The pressure is on in these situations. "This is emergency rescue," said Carson. "We know the water's going to drain out in a couple hours and the animal is going to be high and dry and die."

NECWA is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that combines educational outreach with research and conservation activities to protect and rescue marine wildlife in the coastal waters of New England.

"We need volunteers for everything that we do," said Carson. "A lot of people will say to me, I'd love to volunteer with you, but I'm not a marine biologist. I'm like, that's OK. It's so helpful to have people out scouting for these animals."

While rescuing an ocean sunfish can be a daunting challenge, the rewards are enormous. 

"It's very uplifting," said Carson. "Sure, we're all on the boat, exhausted and wet, and it can be cold. But there's this camaraderie — you've got this team, everybody's volunteering their time. We're passionate about what we do and it's very rewarding because you feel like you're making a difference. And we live by this motto: every animal counts."