Skip to content
All news
  • All news
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Corporates
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Green Whale
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
  • Stranding
  • Whale watching
Common dolphin

WDC takes ‘A Walk in the Park…with Animal Friends’

Longstanding WDC partner Animal Friends returns with season two of their podcast 'A Walk in...
Japanese whaling ship

Infamous whale slaughter ship docks for the final time

The whaling ship, Nisshin Maru has returned to the port of Shimonoseki for the final...
Sperm whale

Dominica announces new protections for sperm whales

Dominica has placed almost 800 square kilometers of sea off the west coast of the...
Porpoise dies after becoming entangled in fishing net

UK government rejects chance to protect whales and dolphins

The government has formally rejected almost all of the crucial recommendations made in a House...

Mystery surrounds large number of whales washing up in US

Whale tail injured in collision with a vessel
Whale tail injured in collision with a vessel

A number of whales have washed up on the shores of New Jersey and New York in just a few weeks, an unusual occurrence that is concerning experts.

Reports suggest around twelve whales (including humpback and sperm) have come ashore since December 1st, prompting calls for a temporary halt in work on the ocean floor taking place in the region in preparation for the installation of an offshore wind farm.

There are fears that the underwater noise pollution caused by projects like these can disrupt the behaviour of whales and dolphins, and in some cases cause their deaths.

However, preliminary reports found at least two (possibly three) of the whales had blunt force trauma injuries that could have been caused by passing vessels. Samples from the whales have been taken, however, it may take some time to establish the actual casue of death.

One theory suggested links to the improvement in water quality and fish stocks causing the whales to hang around for longer seeking prey in an area with high boat traffic.

Currently, vessels are required to slow down if there are whales in the area, and move out of the way when whales are within 200 feet. However, sometimes larger ships can’t stop or turn quickly enough to avoid whales, and they don’t always hear ships coming.

Our WDC team in the US have been in touch with the relevant authroities there to determine if there have been recent activities that may have contributed to the deaths of these whales.

Find out more about WDC work to protect whales by reducing vessel speeds in the US

 

Related News

Blue whale at surface

Creating a safe haven for whales and dolphins in the Southern Ocean

Emma Eastcott Emma is WDC's head of safe seas. She helps ensure whales and dolphins are free from unintentional threats including pollution, collisions with vessels and...
Common dolphin

WDC takes ‘A Walk in the Park…with Animal Friends’

Longstanding WDC partner Animal Friends returns with season two of their podcast 'A Walk in the Park…with Animal Friends'. The podcast aims to engage and...
Humpback whale © Christopher Swann

Migration Patterns of Humpback Whales

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash Puzzles Humpback whales complete some of the longest migrations of...
We're at COP28 to Save the Whale, Save the World.

We’re at COP28 to save the whale, save the world

Ed Goodall Ed is WDC's head of intergovernmental engagement. He meets with world leaders to increase protection and reduce harm to whales and dolphins, for...

Leave a Comment