Saving the shipwrecks of Stellwagen Bank

The Stellwagen Mapping Initiative bridges the gap between maritime archaeology and commercial fishing by identifying and protecting underwater shipwrecks off the Massachusetts coast. These sites function as both historical time capsules and artificial reefs, yet they remain highly susceptible to destruction from heavy commercial fishing dredges. By mapping the seafloor and implementing geofencing technology, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary provides fishermen with precise coordinates to avoid damaging these fragile environments. This partnership leverages the deep local knowledge of captains like Tom Hill, fostering a collaborative approach to resource management. Despite the success of locating new wrecks, the program faces significant uncertainty due to potential federal budget cuts, which threaten the ongoing preservation of these submerged cultural assets and the long-term safety of the maritime industry.