In 1976, three friends – Dr Graham Giese, Dr Charles “Stormy” Mayo and Dr. Barbara Shuler Mayo – combined passionate interest, scientific know-how, and unflagging energy to launch what today is an internationally acclaimed marine research, education and rescue organization. The Center for Coastal Studies is an independent, non-profit, member supported organization whose mission is to understand and protect our coastal communities and marine ecosystems. The Center for Coastal Studies joined the NAC CESU in 2011.

The Center for Coastal Studies offers the following areas of expertise.

• Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative
• Humpback Whale Research
• Marine Animal Entanglement Response
• Marine Debris and Plastics Program
• Marine Education Program
• Marine Fisheries Research
• Marine Geology
• Marine Policy Initiative
• Right Whale Research
• Seal Research
• Water Quality Monitoring Program