🐬The eighth stranded dolphin of the year was discovered in Atlantic City
🐬The DEP is allocating over $3 million to ensure responsible development of wind energy
🐬No assessment will be conducted on the effects of preparatory activities on marine life
In response to the discovery of another stranded dolphin on a New Jersey beach, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced plans to conduct a study to ensure the environmentally conscious development of offshore wind energy projects.
On Monday, the DEP revealed its commitment to investing $3.7 million in “scientific research projects aimed at promoting environmentally responsible growth of offshore wind energy,” as stated by DEP commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.
LaTourette emphasized, “These initiatives are crucial in advancing our repository of essential baseline scientific data essential for the sustainable establishment and operation of offshore wind facilities.”
Guhl-Sadovy added that these projects are designed to safeguard the interests of both consumers and marine ecosystems.
Key components of the project include:
- Conducting an extended seasonal aerial survey of whales along the North Jersey coastline, where trained observers will document data on various whale species.
- Allocating nearly $1 million to Rutgers University to assess the movements of humpback whales and fin whales within and in proximity to New Jersey’s offshore wind leasing areas.
- Providing $1.3 million to the American Bird Conservancy to expand an existing regional network for monitoring radio-tagged birds and bats.
- Investing $1.03 million to evaluate the preconstruction migration routes of sea turtles.
Notably, the projects do not encompass a requested study by energy project critics on the impact of preparatory activities, such as the use of sonar, on marine life.
Discovery of Another Deceased Dolphin in Atlantic City
On Sunday morning, the second dolphin was found stranded on an Atlantic City beach in March.
A video clip posted online depicted a dolphin with a red ribbon fastened around its tail lying on the beach, surrounded by firefighters and onlookers. A member of the Atlantic City Fire Department shielded the front of the dolphin with a towel.
Atlantic City spokesperson Andrew Kramer reported that the Office of Emergency Management was alerted to a stranded dolphin on Newton Place beach around 8:15 a.m.
Upon arrival, a staff member from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center urged spectators to refrain from taking photos and allow them space to operate. It was mentioned that the arrival of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small and Ventnor Mayor Lance Landgraf was anticipated.
According to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s website, the deceased dolphin was identified as an adult female bottlenose dolphin. The dolphin was already deceased upon the arrival of MMSC staff and was transported to the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory for a necropsy.
This incident marks the [ppp8] dolphin to wash up on an Atlantic City beach this year, according to the MMSC.
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