A humpback whale was recently observed breaching off the coast of Coney Island, marking the 500th recorded whale in New York City's waters since 2012. This milestone, according to representatives from the advocacy group Gotham Whale, indicates a significant improvement in the cleanliness and stability of the city's marine environment.
Chris St. Lawrence of Gotham Whale stated that New York City is providing a place for these animals to thrive, offering a lifeline for humpback whales navigating challenging conditions elsewhere. The specific whale, identified by its unique fluke scarring as "NYC0500," was added to the New York City Humpback Whale Catalog. Researchers estimate the whale to be approximately one year old and observed it actively feeding.
"These animals are here to put on weight, especially those juveniles," St. Lawrence said. "They’re looking to get as much food as possible to grow as quickly as possible, to put on those fat layers so that if they want to, they can migrate back down south for the winter."
The New York City Humpback Whale Catalog has documented an increase in whale sightings, with as many as 100 new whales recorded in the New York Harbor and surrounding waterways since 2018. This is a substantial rise from the 10 to 30 whales recorded annually when the catalog began in 2012.
The growth in the humpback whale population is also linked to warming oceans, which are making the city's waterways more hospitable. This increase in marine life extends beyond humpbacks, with endangered North Atlantic Right Whales and fin whales also being spotted in local waters.
However, the rise in marine mammal activity has prompted concerns about potential ship collisions. Researchers are urging boaters to reduce speeds and maintain distance from the animals. In response, the New York legislature has unanimously passed the Whale Awareness Act. This pending legislation directs New York agencies to develop recommendations for preventing marine mammal interactions, awaiting final action from Governor Kathy Hochul.