Contact: Ed Potosnak
O: (609) 331-9922
C: (732) 991-7574
New Jersey LCV Responds to Recent Dolphin Beaching in Sea Isle City
TRENTON – The following is a statement from Allison McLeod, Policy Director New Jersey LCV and former marine mammal observer, in response to today’s dolphin beaching in Sea Isle City, and to recent out-of-state, fossil-fuel funded campaigns spreading disinformation about strandings in an attempt to stop clean energy projects.
“As a former professional marine mammal observer with a background in marine science and biology, I am personally and professionally concerned with the ongoing marine mammal strandings off our coast, which began as early as 2016, well before exploration of offshore wind energy development.”
As we have repeatedly stated, we need to continue to base our decisions on data, science, and evidence - not conjecture. NOAA, BOEM, and the independent Marine Mammal Commission have all gone on the record to state there is no evidence of a connection between the strandings and offshore wind activities. In addition, when the Marine Mammal Stranding Center has had the opportunity to conduct necropsies, the results have shown evidence of boat strikes and net entanglements.
We will look at the results from professionals and scientists regarding today’s dolphin stranding in Sea Isle City, and we will continue to advocate for actual solutions based on those results. New Jersey LCV advocates for responsible offshore wind development that is in full compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, because climate change is the biggest threat to marine life and our oceans. In order to protect all marine life, we must address our warming oceans, and offshore wind is part of the solution. It’s time for decision makers who really care about protecting marine life to address evidence-based threats to marine life, including implementing vessel speed restrictions, eliminating abandoned commercial fishing gear, removing plastic garbage out of the water, and of course addressing climate change. Moving toward a 21st century clean energy economy will protect our coast, clean our air, slow the warming of our oceans, and create family-sustaining jobs - all while actually protecting the marine environment.”