In 2023, concerns over the impact of offshore wind projects on whales persist, with some activists using the slogan "Save the Whales" to call attention to the issue. Several dead whales have recently washed up on shore, leading animal lovers to wonder if there may be more that haven't been discovered. People are also questioning what may be happening to other creatures in the deep ocean if whales are dying.
Retired Central Regional High School teacher Leslie Mangold and naturalist Trisha DeVoe of the Miss Belmar Whale Watching boat joined forces to raise awareness about the issue, with their efforts quickly spreading through social media and drawing a large crowd on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk.
One whale in particular, Valentine, drew attention when she washed up in Manasquan on February 13. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) suggested that Valentine may have been killed by a boat, and stated that there is no direct link between the wind turbines being built off New Jersey's shore and whale deaths. NOAA noted that as climate change affects animals' habitats, whales may follow their prey closer to shore and thus be at greater risk of encountering humans or boats.
Other concerned citizens, including Clean Ocean Action's Cindy Zipf, Bonnie Brady of the Center for Sustainable Fisheries, Point Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra, Seaside Park Mayor John Peterson, and Congressmen Jefferson Van Drew (R-2nd) and Chris Smith (R-4th), also spoke out on the issue. While the whale population has been growing and the waters are cleaner, many are worried about the impact of offshore wind activity and have called for an immediate moratorium pending further investigation.
Thirty mayors from communities all along the coast have signed a letter expressing concern about the acoustic surveys used in the windmill process, which could potentially damage whales' senses and impact their feeding and migration.
Interestingly, some conservative politicians and right-wing commentators have joined environmentalists in their concerns over the impact of offshore wind projects on whales. Some commentators have even promoted conspiracy theories suggesting that the scientific community is covering up whale deaths to advance windmills, leading to threats against marine mammal groups.
What you need to know:
- Recent whale deaths in New Jersey have sparked concerns over the impact of offshore wind projects on marine life.
- Activists have used the slogan "Save the Whales" to call attention to the issue and raise awareness.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has suggested that climate change may be driving whales closer to shore and putting them at greater risk of encountering humans or boats.
- Concerned citizens, including environmentalists and conservative politicians, have called for an immediate moratorium on offshore wind activity pending further investigation.
- Some right-wing commentators have promoted conspiracy theories that the scientific community is covering up whale deaths to advance windmills, leading to threats against marine mammal groups.
