Once hunted to near extinction, humpback whales now a common sight in New York City

Once hunted to the brink of extinction, humpback whales are now a common sight off the coast of New York City. Eager cruise passengers now eagerly scan the southern shores of the city, eager to catch a glimpse of these magnificent marine mammals against the iconic Manhattan skyline. This shift in whale sightings marks a conservation success story and has prompted new policy efforts to protect these creatures in one of the busiest port regions in the United States.

Carl LoBue, New York oceans director at The Nature Conservancy, explained that humpback whales were once incredibly rare in New York waters. However, recent years have seen a spectacular increase in sightings, with LoBue now spotting whales almost every time he's out on the water. In addition to humpbacks, LoBue occasionally encounters other species, such as the critically endangered North Atlantic Right whale.

Several factors have contributed to this resurgence of humpback whales in the New York Bight – the marine region extending off the city, Long Island, and New Jersey. Government action, including the Endangered Species Act, has helped bolster whale populations. Cleaner water and habitat, supported by air and water protections, have also played a role.

A new statute supporting growing schools of the Atlantic menhaden, an oily fish vital to whales, dolphins, and seabirds, is another contributing factor. Climate change, which alters bait fish distributions, has also driven whales to stray from traditional migratory patterns.

However, New York City's thriving whale population also faces new dangers. Maritime traffic, including tankers, cargo, cruise ships, fishing boats, and recreational vessels, poses a threat to whales in the area. Collisions with these vessels can cause injuries or fatalities to whales, while entanglement in fishing gear remains a leading cause of death for whales worldwide.

This danger is especially concerning given that New York has delisted humpback whales as endangered, yet the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has designated an "Unusual Mortality Event" along the Atlantic coast. Vessel strikes and entanglements continue to be primary causes of whale mortality.

In response to these threats, Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Whale Awareness Act, which integrates marine mammal protection and education into state boater safety courses and vessel registration. LoBue and his team at The Nature Conservancy have worked to develop educational materials, including an online course that teaches seafarers how to recognize whale behavior, report sightings, and avoid collisions.

They emphasize the importance of learning new skills to ensure the safety and conservation of these awe-inspiring marine mammals.