TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey State Senator Anthony Bucco today asked his fellow state legislators how many more dead whales have to wash up at the Jersey Shore before Governor Phil Murphy takes action?
After another whale washed ashore Thursday morning in Seaside Park, Another washed ashore at Breezy Point in New York City on Wednesday. That whale is suspected to be the one found by the U.S. Coast Guard off the coast of Sandy Hook earlier in the week.
“It seems like every day we have another report of a dead whale floating offshore or landing on one of our beaches,” said Bucco (R-25). “How many more dead whales does Governor Murphy need to see before he finally takes action? We need to investigate what’s causing these deaths to learn if it’s something we can easily fix.”
Last week, Republicans called on the governor to halt off-shore sonar surveys for 30 days until scientists can figure out exactly what’s happening. Murphy ignored that request and this week, state Democrats blocked a Republican attempt to vote on a measure to halt the work.
Clean Ocean Action, among other environmental groups, has suggested that surveys of the ocean floor are being conducted for offshore wind farm development that may disrupt the ability of whales to navigate safely, possibly leading to a spike in deadly vessel strikes and groundings since December, as well as sonar mapping, drilling, and seismic testing.
“You have to wonder if Governor Murphy is unwilling to accept a short moratorium because he’s hoping for the wind farm surveys to be completed by Memorial Day,” added Bucco. “It certainly won’t help our important shore tourism economy this summer if news reports continue of dead whales keep washing ashore when our beaches are packed with families on vacation.”