Offshore staff
LONG BRANCH, NJ — The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners called for the immediate investigation into the marine animal deaths along the New Jersey coastline during a press conference at Seven Presidents Beach.
“Yesterday, my fellow Commissioners and I passed a resolution calling for an immediate investigation of offshore projects and marine animal deaths along the New Jersey coastline,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We join a growing group of elected officials, residents and advocates who want to know why there is an unprecedented number of dead whales and dolphins washing ashore, with one washing ashore in Sea Bright as recently as Sunday, April 2.”
Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester).said, “We’re here today to push for an independent investigation into the potentially catastrophic impacts of the proposed 3,400 offshore wind turbines along the Jersey Shore."
"What we are asking through our bill AR 181 is a complete moratorium on all activity related to the surveying and mapping in advance of the wind turbines. We feel that is a reasonable stance under the circumstances," added Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (LD-13). "Once a definitive clause has been identified, then we are asking for corrective measures in place before any resumption of these activities."
Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (LD-13) concluded, “We need to hit pause to ensure any offshore activity is safe not only for the whales and dolphins, but also to ensure that offshore activity will not impact our state’s economy.”
Earlier this year, National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito responded to reporting attempting to link offshore wind development operations to whale deaths along the Atlantic Coast. A recent report states the Atlantic Coast has been experiencing an unusual whale mortality event since at least 2016, well before offshore wind development was initiated in these areas, he explained.
04.07.2023
