Is Offshore Wind To Blame For NJ Whale Deaths? Officials Investigating

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — In the past five weeks, six dead whales have washed up on New Jersey and New York shores, raising concern for environmental activists. Now, Gov. Phil Murphy said that officials are investigating whether these deaths are caused by offshore wind.

On the Jan. 11 edition of "Ask Governor Murphy" on WBGO, Murphy called the recent deaths "tragic" and confirmed that officials were looking into the causes.

"We're taking it very seriously," he said.

After another humpback whale washed up on an Atlantic City beach recently, conservation groups called for action, sending a letter to President Joe Biden to ask for federal investigation into the impact of offshore wind on the creatures.

"The premature death of so many whales and other marine mammals is an untenable situation that we believe is most likely caused by the increase in vessel traffic and the 'sounding' or mapping of the ocean floor by several offshore wind project developers," said Suzanne Hornick, from Protect Our Coast NJ. Read more: 3 Dead Whales Wash Up On Jersey Shore In 1 Month

Since 2016, there has been an elevated number of whale mortalities, what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is calling an "Unusual Mortality Event."

There have been 21 whale strandings since 2016, according to NOAA. Murphy noted that this predates offshore wind in New Jersey, and added that there was also "evidence that some of these whales have been hit by vessels."

The most recent whale stranding in Atlantic City showed signs of a potential ship strike, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, who responded to the scene.

Alison McLeod, policy director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, called it "irresponsible" to blame offshore wind for the deaths before a full investigation could occur.

"As a former professional marine mammal observer with a background in marine science and biology, I am alarmed and deeply concerned with the recent whale strandings on our shores - as we all should be," McLeod said in a statement. "We need to base our decision making on science and data, not emotions or assumptions."

"We are confident that the professionals involved will determine an accurate cause of death for each of the mammals, as ship strikes and entanglements from abandoned fishing gear continue to be a concern for our marine life," she said.