After as many as seven whales washed ashore New Jersey’s coastline, Assemblywomen Kim Eulner and Marilyn Piperno joined a growing list of state officials, legislators, and members of Congress requesting the halt of offshore wind development until the recent whale strandings can be investigated. 

State environmental groups advocate the pre-construction of offshore wind turbines may be causing harm to marine life due to the sound navigation and ranging (sonar) that can be emitted during survey work. It is widely held that the use of underwater sonar can lead to injury and even death among whales and other marine life.

Other possible explanations include vessel strikes and the effects of climate change. Experts say it’s too early to tell what caused the whales to wash ashore, and would require a necropsy to figure out why; the results of which could take several months.

In a statement, Eulner and Piperno said, “It is grossly irresponsible to continue such oceanic activities without concern or understanding of the events that led to the deaths of at least seven whales. We join our fellow legislators and congressional leaders in the call to temporarily cease offshore wind developments until a comprehensive investigation provides a sufficient explanation.”