New research suggests the waters around New York City are highly important for fin whales. Scientists hope that leads to changes for things like speed restrictions for boats and shipping.
© Merrily Cassidy/Cape Cod Times + © John Meore/The Journal News + © Megan Smith, Megan Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) – According to new research, the waters surrounding New York City are an important breeding ground for fin whales. In fact, the findings suggest fin whales — also known as finback whales or the common rorqual — live off the shores of New York and New Jersey year round. The fin whale is a species of baleen whale, meaning they filter water through their mouth to eat plankton and other microscopic species.
Scientists say fin whales, the planet’s second-longest whales after blue whales, live within a habitat that stretches from Montauk on Long Island down to Cape May, New Jersey. The goal is to publish these findings and raise awareness in order to push forward efforts that aim to protect whales. These include things like speed restrictions for boats and shipping.
The research involved listening to whale song patterns, which can be heard from long distances. Last year, as whale deaths mounted in waters off New York and New Jersey, some expressed concern that off-shore wind power is putting the mammals at risk. But other experts dispute that — and wind power advocates say the ability to cut down on burning fossil fuels is a net positive for whales and the entire planet.
