About us

Based in Canada, global in impact

We are a research-driven nonprofit working to protect whales and the oceans they call home, from the shores of Newfoundland to international waters.

Our story

We go where the whales go

Saltwater Science began with a simple conviction: whales cannot be protected by studying them in isolation. They migrate across thousands of kilometres and dozens of jurisdictions, carrying the health of entire ecosystems with them.

So we follow. Headquartered in Newfoundland and Labrador, our fieldwork reaches from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and our partnerships stretch across the globe. We turn rigorous science into the evidence decision-makers need to keep whales, and the oceans, thriving.

Saltwater Science founder teaching in the field

What guides us

Local action, global collaboration

The challenges facing whales demand international cooperation grounded in work done on the water, every season, in every condition.

Rigour

Sound, peer-reviewed science is the foundation of everything we do and everything we recommend.

Collaboration

We work alongside scientists, communities, and institutions worldwide, because migratory species need shared stewardship.

Impact

We translate findings into action, equipping the people and policies that protect ocean life.

Our board

The people behind the science

A dedicated board of researchers, educators, and community leaders guiding our work.

Stephanie Stack

Stephanie Stack

President & Founder · Principal Investigator

Stephanie is a marine mammal researcher whose work spans whale migration, behaviour, and conservation policy. She has spent over a decade leading international collaborations across the Pacific, studying humpback whale behaviour and sustainable whale-based tourism practices. She founded Saltwater Science to bring high-quality research, community science, and marine conservation together in a way that supports both ocean health and coastal communities.

Ashley MacMahon

Ashley MacMahon

Director · Education Specialist

Ashley is a scientist and educator with dual master's degrees in science and education. She has worked as a research officer at the University of Melbourne and now focuses on science education, making complex scientific ideas accessible to learners of all ages. She supports Saltwater Science through her strengths in communication, organization, and public engagement.

Justin So

Justin So

Founding Director · Secretary

Justin is a marine biology consultant specialising in responsible development and environmental assessment of coastal and offshore projects, spanning renewable energy, oil and gas, mining, tourism, and major infrastructure. He also holds a graduate diploma in science communication, bringing both technical expertise in marine monitoring and a commitment to accessible science.

Kathi Noah

Kathi Noah

Founding Director · Treasurer

Kathi is happiest surrounded by her grandchildren or looking out over the ocean from her home in Newfoundland, where she photographs wildlife and watches whales pass by. She brings practical experience in financial management and a steady, detail-oriented approach to supporting Saltwater Science's investment strategy and financial oversight.

Kerry Malone

Kerry Malone

Founding Director

Kerry is retired from the Government of Canada, where he served as a Senior Real Estate Advisor for Public Services and Procurement Canada. A lifelong nature enthusiast, he brings a thoughtful community perspective to Saltwater Science along with decades of experience in government processes and public-sector stewardship.

Help us go further

Every contribution extends our reach and deepens the science that protects whales.

Support our work