Whale, that’s unexpected!
BY FARRAH LEONE
New York City is often called the concrete jungle. Although there are various parks, most of the wildlife consists of birds, squirrels, and people.
However, there is a new star in town that’s far too big for Broadway. Move over Lin Manuel Miranda! Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth make room because whales are back in New York City!
Photo credit: The Guardian
According to National Geographic, the whales have come back due to environmental policies cleaning up local waters and thus allowing prey organisms to thrive. Particularly, “Atlantic menhaden (bunker) feeds nearly every commercial and recreational species of fish, as well as marine mammals”, according to Pew Charitable Trust. Many of the sources referenced indicate that the healthier environment attracts Menhaden and whales follow.
Atlantic Marine Fisheries Commission passed a regulation in 2017 that called for the total allowable catch to be 216,000 metric tons. Current DEC regulations restrict fisheries to 40,000 lbs (~18.14 metric tonnes) a trip of hook and line and 40,000 lbs of bycatch. A week long trip is allowed to harvest 120,000 lbs (~54.43 metric tonnes) with no limit on size.
Gotham Whale, a local whale watching and marine mammal citizen science research group, reports to National Geographic that they spotted 5 whales in 2011 but 377 were seen by September 2019. That is a 504% increase in just 8 years!
Photo credit: National Geographic
According to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the types of whales off the coast include: Sperm, Blue, Finback, Minke, North Atlantic Right, and Sei Whales. If you’re in the New York City area during Whale Season, I have attached WCS’s reccommended spots for whale watching! I can say from experience, I have seen plenty at number 4!