MONMOUTH BEACH, NJ – New Jersey Democratic Senator Vin Gopal, a prominent supporter of Governor Phil Murphy’s plan to establish wind turbines from Cape May to Sandy Hook, has dismissed claims that link the increase in whale deaths to offshore wind energy projects. In a recent interview with News 12, Gopal, who is also politically active in Ocean County, refuted the notion that sonar mapping has contributed to a significant number of whale and dolphin deaths off the Jersey Shore in 2023.
“No, it is not,” Gopal asserted when questioned if offshore sonar mapping could be responsible for the marine mammal deaths. He added, “We get a lot of misinformation that it’s killing dolphins and whales. That’s not true. Conspiracy theorists are making these claims without any evidence.”
Gopal’s Republican opponent this year, Steve Dnistrian, is advocating for a temporary halt to the construction and mapping of offshore wind farms. Dnistrian wants to wait for the results of a federal study on the issue. Earlier this month, the federal government announced a research grant to investigate the increase in whale deaths along the East Coast this year.
Despite opposition, Gopal remains firm that the offshore wind turbine projects should continue. According to him, these projects are crucial for the 2035 Democratic initiative to ban gas-powered cars and promote the use of electric stoves and home heating systems, policies also supported by Governor Murphy.
Dnistrian criticized Gopal, saying, “A dead whale washes up in Long Branch, home of Vin Gopal, and yet he still dismisses ANY POSSIBLE tie between sonar mapping and dead mammals. He labels advocates and others as ‘conspiracy theorists.’ This non-expert, self-righteous approach won’t help.”
Local residents also took issue with Gopal’s statements. One Twitter user said, “The Senator appears to be employing the Alinsky Rules for Radicals tactic of creating a distraction.”
“He needs to prove the survey mapping is NOT the cause. Otherwise, step aside and shut up,” added Lisa Millar.
Another resident commented, “If they would prove the ‘conspiracy theorists’ wrong with actual evidence, rather than their opinion, that would be a great start. They won’t even consider pausing this to study why the sea life is dying.”