Locals Spout Concerns in Wake of Unexplained Whale, Dolphin Deaths
Recent gathering demands halt to offshore wind farm surveying
For coastal communities, winter typically means diminished crowds giving locals an opportunity to complete public works projects or needed repairs while getting businesses and properties ready for the next summer tourism season. But this year, as dead whales and dolphins wash ashore, many are also plunging themselves into demanding a pause in offshore wind farm development. We Are New Jersey was in Point Pleasant Beach for a chilly Sunday February 19, 2023 World Whale Day event where elected officials, representatives of the fishing industry, environmental advocates and MANY New Jersey and New York residents came together in the wake of recent marine mammal deaths demanding answers and an immediate halt to the underwater low-frequency sound surveys.
People are asking serious questions about what is going on as the body count piles up. Speakers noted that projects are moving ahead without meaningful public comment and discourse. And many critics of the offshore development plans challenge the wisdom of continuing survey activities for wind turbine construction in federally-leased waters near our Atlantic coastline prior to completion of scientific studies assessing biological and ecological impacts.
Local mayors repeated concerns that offshore wind farm development will result in negative impacts to the livelihood and wellbeing of residents. NJ Assemblymen Gerry Sharfenberger and John Catalano, who represent legislative districts which include parts of our coast, pledged continued state-level efforts targeted at bringing the projects to a halt and investigating the animal deaths.
They joined their voices with NJ Congressmen Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew who said they are working with U.S. Representatives from other coastal states to impose a federal moratorium on current activities and prohibition of new offshore development plans. Rep. Van Drew announced a forthcoming public hearing scheduled for March 16 addressing concerns. Time and location for the event in his South Jersey district are to be determined.
Ocean activists and members of the commercial fishing industry passionately advocated for aquatic life in the context of ecosystem protection to insure benefits for all future generations, including preservation of marine and littoral environments as a source of food and recreation for humans. However, the biggest names in national and international environmental activism and advocacy have been conspicuously absent from this conversation. One colorful homemade sign carried by an attendee boldly asked, “Where’s Greenpeace?”
While the prepared speeches and fast facts were informative, drew attention to details about offshore wind development - including potential ecological and economic impacts - and rallied the crowd, two things about this boardwalk rally made an impression:
The sheer number of people who made the time and effort to show up; during the event, organizers announced that an estimated 1000 people were in attendance. It was a typical, raw winter day with temperatures barely above freezing and a stiff southerly breeze, but the promise of a cozy Sunday afternoon at home was trumped by the imperative to make a collective, public statement demonstrating concern about what’s happening along our coast.
The repeated message highlighting need for local input from real people was mobilized with encouragement to get together with neighbors, friends and others in our area and take actionable steps such as reading and commenting on public contracts and current or proposed laws and regulations, organizing efforts to pass local resolutions, and hold public officials accountable through civil discourse and legal means.
All levels of government are involved in some capacity with planning, implementation and challenges to changes and/or upgrades to infrastructure, including public utilities. If you haven’t been to a local town council or county commissioners’ meeting or written to your senators, congressman, state senator, assemblymen, or governor recently…NOW is the time. Many municipalities also have environmental or tourism committees which provide another venue for public discussion and an opportunity to meet up with neighbors who are often willing partners in working toward shared goals. Start local; put people in the driver’s seat of public policy decision making. Let’s get together and get going!
