The New England Aquarium is shifting its mammal rescue efforts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It will no longer be the lead response agency for seal, dolphin and whale strandings Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and the north shore of Massachusetts.

It was a year punctuated by visits from a president and right whales, the arrival of a roundabout and a reality television crew. Pieces of the past were restored and given new life while other parts of the Island changed irrevocably.

Summers are a rush for leaders in law enforcement on the Island. But come winter there is still much to do, as police chiefs tell the Gazette in their monthly gathering for discussion about issues that cross town lines.

Town selectmen approved a request from the shellfish committee to add personnel hours, but balked at adding an entirely new employee to the department.