Our mission is to study, advocate for, and educate about the whales and marine mammals of New York City through Community Science. As the largest city in the United States, New York boasts a rich maritime history. However, its waters have long been exploited, depleting fisheries and reducing marine mammal populations. Recently, efforts by regulators, environmental groups, and New York citizens have significantly improved the Hudson River and New York Harbor's waters. These improvements have revitalized the food chain, supporting a diverse ecosystem from oysters to whales. Now, New York's waters serve as feeding grounds for seals, dolphins, and whales.
Gotham Whale aims to enhance public knowledge as whales encounter New Yorkers. The interaction between wild marine mammals and the millions of city inhabitants provides a unique opportunity for learning, enjoyment, and sometimes, tragic disruption. Gotham Whale will be a source of education, advocacy, and science for both New York's human and marine residents.
Community Science involves average citizens in scientific research, enabling them to make systematic observations, collect and process data, and support scientific studies. Gotham Whale follows the model of the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, running since 1900. Utilizing platforms like the whale-watching activities of the American Princess and other boatmen, Gotham Whale collects data and makes observations. The many eyes of the public increase the likelihood of sightings, and Gotham Whale serves as a repository for this data. Participants provide photographs of humpback whale flukes, which have unique patterns that serve as individual identification markers, much like human fingerprints. This data is combined, evaluated, and shared with the scientific community through publications, cooperative studies, and the New York Humpback Whale Catalog.
By collaborating with other organizations, Gotham Whale contributes to the improving health of New York's marine environment, benefiting both humans and whales.
Your donation enables us to reach out with good news of sightings, continue our research and conservation efforts, and inspire the next generations of marine lovers to invest in their futures, and the future of these beloved animals. We appreciate your partnership so much.