How we collect data…
Gotham Whale depends on submissions of marine mammal encounters across the New York Bight to maintain our NYC Humpback Whale Catalog and continue our research, education, and advocacy projects.
Gotham Whale collects data in two different ways:
- Partnerships with local whale watching companies
- Sighting submissions from the general public.
Whale Watching
What began as a partnership with a single whale watching vessel has grown to a collaboration with 6 different companies in the NYC region. Trained naturalists share their sightings data and photographs with Gotham Whale, helping us to track whales and build the NYC Humpback Whale Catalog.
Gotham Whale's network of whale-watching partners currently includes these companies:
- American Princess Cruises (Brooklyn, NYC)
- Jersey Shore Whale Watch (Belmar, NJ)
- Long Island Whale & Seal Watching w/ NY Marine Rescue Center (Freeport, NY)
- Seastreak Whale Watch (Highlands, NJ / NYC)
- Miss Belmar Whale Watching / Ocean Explorer Whale Watching (Belmar, NJ)
- Keyport Princess (Keyport, NJ)
If you are a whale watching company that is interested in partnering with us, send an email to research@gothamwhale.org.
Citizen Science
Approximately 20% of our sightings are submitted by the general public through our website. Whale watching vessels can only cover so much area, so we rely on our public citizen scientists to share their sightings from areas where whale watching vessels do not go. Citizen scientists have shared important sightings of whales and dolphins in the Hudson and East rivers, in Raritan Bay, and in eastern Long Island! Share your marine mammal sightings here:
Please remember that all marine mammals are federally protected and doing anything to change their behavior is illegal. This means that you cannot move your vessel in any way that may change their swimming pattern or behavior. Please watch humpback whales safely (whether via vessel or drone) at a distance of 100 feet or more and do not chase them. Dolphins and seals can be safely observed at a distance of 150 feet or more. North Atlantic Right Whales are rare in our area, but they do visit sometimes. Federal law requires that all vessels, drones, aircraft, etc. remain at a distance of at least 1500 feet from North Atlantic right whales.
If you need help identifying whale species, check out the Eyes on the Water boater safety course.
Provide a donation.
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.