NOAA and Fishermen Work Together to Identify Shipwrecks in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

May 1, 2025

The Stellwagen Mapping Initiative is a multi-year collaborative project to explore and survey the seafloor in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary for underwater cultural heritage sites, such as shipwrecks, using the latest in side-scan sonar technology. This innovative mapping initiative brings together scientists, engineers, and sanctuary staff in a private-public partnership. Through this initiative, NOAA hires local fishermen and their vessels as a work platform to tow side-scan sonar (a "towfish") under the guidance of a locally-contracted sonar team. The work relies on fishermen's local knowledge of the sanctuary waters to enable focused, efficient exploration that helps researchers gather important maritime heritage data while also informing the fishing community of potential underwater hazards to avoid.

four people on the stern of a green fishing vessel with the name 'Mary Elizabeth, Scituate, MA' painted on the back.
The Stellwagen Mapping Initiative team poses on F/V Mary Elizabeth, with a temporarily installed custom astern Search & Survey/Marine Imaging Technologies side scan sonar system. Pictured from left to right: Mike Bailey (NOAA Sanctuaries), Steve Kenney (Mary Elizabeth crew), Phil Lynch (Mary Elizabeth captain), and Ben Roberts (ESS/MITech). Photo: Mike Bailey/NOAA
a sepia tone image showing a relatively flat seafloor with an object in the shape of a ship's hull protruding from the seafloor.
Sidescan sonar imagery showing Target #11, unknown shipwreck. Photo: NOAA

To decide which potential cultural heritage sites to investigate, NOAA researchers collaborate with industry partners to gather locations where fishermen have snagged their nets on underwater obstructions, known as "hangs". The captains follow tracklines and image swaths of the bottom. Once an underwater cultural heritage item is imaged, its location is logged for investigation by a remotely operated vehicle or diver. While initially setting a goal to locate at least one cultural site, the team successfully located six potential shipwreck sites in the first year! In addition, they located derelict commercial fishing gear and unexploded ordnance. This project highlights the value of NOAA's partnerships with the local fishing industry, as well as improving scientific methods with local experts for underwater exploration.