'Hysteria Based On Lies': Don't Blame NJ Whale Deaths On Offshore Wind, Groups Say

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — A group of environmental organizations are speaking out in support of “responsible offshore wind development,” saying that there is no evidence that links recent whale deaths at the Jersey Shore to offshore wind.

“This current hysteria is based on lies and an anti-green agenda,” said Paul Eidman, a captain who runs fishing charter boats and a marine fish conservation advocate. While some groups blame sonar mapping for the whale deaths, Eidman said that it is “harmless to marine mammals.”

Representatives from the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, New Jersey Sierra Club, New Jersey Organizing Project, Anglers for Offshore Wind, Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions and GreenFaith Alliance gathered in Atlantic City on Tuesday, a week after other conservation groups gathered there to protest offshore wind development.

“While I am deeply concerned with the recent whale strandings, I also know we must base our decision making on science and data, not emotions or assumptions. It is therefore irresponsible to assign blame to offshore wind energy development without supporting evidence,” said Allison McLeod, New Jersey LCV Policy Director and a former professional mammal observer.

Vessel strikes, abandoned fishing gear and climate change are among the manmade threats that are contributing to a growing number of marine mammal deaths, McLeod said. The most recent whale that washed up in Brigantine was likely killed by a vessel strike, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has noted an increase in whale deaths dating back to 2016, in what they call “unusual mortality events.” Since then, there have been 22 whale deaths in New Jersey, according to NOAA.

“This problem started way before offshore wind development and exploration, and is more indicative of the severe climate change impacts that our marine wildlife experience and an increased number of trade ships,” said NJ Sierra Club Director Anjuli Ramos-Busot.“Shifting blame on offshore wind development is not only irresponsible but dangerous. Offshore wind is one of the solutions to curb the impacts of climate change on our oceans and marine wildlife.”

Cindy Zipf of Clean Ocean Action responded to these groups, calling the death of seven whales in 39 days “unprecedented.”

“When has there ever been this many industrial activities permitted in the region at the same time?” Zipf said. “Where is the evidence that these deaths are not related to the intense offshore wind sonar and other geotechnical activities?”

Zipf and other conservation groups want offshore wind development to stop until the deaths can be investigated and it is determined whether the activities have any impact on the whales.

But some say there is no time to wait.

“We need to find out what is really happening to the whales. We don’t want to jump to one conclusion and destroy a fantastic opportunity to save our homes from sea level rise,” said Jersey Shore resident and senior organizer with the New Jersey Organizing Project Jody Stewart. “If we blame offshore wind for this, without any proof, it will not fix our problem. We will have dead whales and dying communities.”