A mature female humpback whale breaches off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, July 4, 2016. The whale was viewed by spectators aboard a whale watch boat and a Coast Guard Auxiliarist Marine Mammal Observation Program (MMOP) team member. The MMOP works with local whale watch boat operators to collect data and manage vessel traffic around marine mammals that live in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and surrounding waters. Once the data is collected, it is forwarded electronically to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) representatives for cataloging and analysis. This supports the U.S. Coast Guard’s Stewardship role in protecting living marine resources, ecosystems and endangered species. (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by John Keyes)
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