Whales are Totally Loving New York This Season!

Cleaner seas means an increase in fish population, and an abundance of fish will lead to an overall increase in the variety of marine life.  Currently, New York and New Jersey are seeing a surge in seals, dolphins, great white sharks and, to the delight of tourists, humpback whales! Paul Sieswerda, head of the Gotham Whale marine wildlife tracking group, believes that cleaner rivers are to thank.

Over time, New York’s Hudson River has become clearer (thanks to clean-up initiatives), allowing nutrients to flow naturally into the oceans where plankton can engorge themselves. The plankton then feed the fish, and the fish feed the whales.

Sieswerda says, “The river used to bring nothing but Pollution but in the last five years or so there is cleaner water, more nutrients and less garbage.”

Both environmentalists and New York residents are thrilled to have the chance to attend whale watching tours with the Manhattan skyline serving as a backdrop. On these boats, whale enthusiasts have even encountered whales “lunge feeding,” a technique favored by humpbacks. In this feeding form, whales will surface–mouths open wide–from underneath swallowing up huge shoals of fish.

While ocean lovers are definitely having a whale of a time, the increase in number of humpbacks may lead to some problems. More whales means more potential collisions between whales and boats, especially in a busy port. Additionally, the U.S. government recently decided to open the Atlantic seaboard for oil prospecting using sonic cannons, and unfortunately for the whales, the seaboard happens to overlap with whale territory.

Hopefully, these gentle giants won’t find a reason to leave anytime soon! Not only are they entertaining for oceanic visitors, but they are also proving that a healthy environment means a healthy variety of marine life.

Image source: Christin Khan / Wikimedia Commons