State, county, and federal officials in New Jersey want to halt offshore wind turbine projects for an independent investigation into why whales and dolphins have been washing up on New Jersey beaches.
“The whales are the canaries in the coal mine; they’re telling us something we all need to listen to,” U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) said during a press conference at Seven Presidents Park in Monmouth County, New Jersey, on April 5.
Smith and Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) introduced legislation calling for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into the deaths. Smith said it’s no accident that government scientists don’t seem to know or care why the animals are dying.
“It’s a very well-hidden initiative by our governor and President Joe Biden,” Smith said.
Smith and Van Drew’s bill comes simultaneously as legislation filed by two New Jersey State Assembly members.
Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn introduced Assembly Resolution 181, calling for a moratorium on sonar surveys and wind turbine mapping off the New Jersey coast.
Scharfenberger told the press conference that any investigation must be done by “parties with no connection to any of this.”
Humpback whales can reach a length of 40-50 feet. In the Atlantic, females migrate to give birth in the Caribbean and then move north to feeding areas along New England and Canada. (Ethan Daniels/Shutterstock)Monmouth County, New Jersey, Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone said county commissioners adopted a resolution calling for an investigation. He said commissioners must protect public assets like Seven Presidents Park.
“It’s our job to protect this. It’s a simple equation, just stop, investigate, and tell us why,” Arnone said.
The wind turbine work has stirred controversy on both coasts with reports of dead marine mammals, complaints from the commercial fishing industry, and coastal communities concerned over the possible impact on tourism.
Scientists and officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have steadily maintained that there is no evidence that the work harms the animals.
On April 4, NOAA issued a report that acknowledged the projects could have an adverse effect on the animals but denied it could kill them.
Offshore wind farm. (Photocreo Bednarek/Adobe Stock)Smith told the press conference that “adverse effect” actually means to “do serious, serious harm.”
“We’re going to see even more whales washing up on our shores as time goes on and more of this is done,” he said.
According to the New Jersey-based Marine Mammal Stranding Center, 25 dolphins and eight whales have been found in New Jersey this year. Dozens more have been reported up and down the East Coast since December 2022.
Smith said his request for a GAO investigation passed the house on a bipartisan vote of 244–189, with 28 Democrats supporting the plan. He said he wants the GAO to investigate because it has proven to be an independent office. Smith doesn’t trust NOAA to be objective.
“The government scientists are all conforming to the end goal,” Smith said. “To build wind turbines.”
According to Smith, whales are only the beginning of problems that have been glossed over and ignored.
He said there is evidence the towers will interfere with radar, making navigation in the area difficult. In addition, Smith said a Category 3 storm could topple the structures.
“We’ll have junk sitting out in our water.”