Attention, New York and New Jersey: our citizen science program needs your help!
When you're near or on the water in the New York Bight, keep an eye out for marine mammals. If you spot a whale, dolphin, or seal, submit your sighting using the data collection form below. Please be as specific as possible; your detailed information is crucial for our database records and ongoing research efforts. Join us in protecting and understanding these incredible creatures!
Citizen Science, sometimes also referred to as community science, amateur science, or crowdsourced science, increases the impact and reach of research projects by inviting the public to participate in data collection, analysis, or reporting. By involving the support and cooperation of their communities, researchers gain the additional eyes, ears, or helping hands they need to make important scientific discoveries.
Our WANTED project enlists Citizen Scientists, like you, to record and report marine mammal sightings. Our research team analyzes each sighting to identify species, track individual animals, and gather other information. The data we collect becomes research publications, supports our advocacy initiatives, and helps us keep people across NY/NJ informed about the marine mammals in our area.
When you see a whale, dolphin, or seal in the western NY bight just follow these steps to contribute to our marine mammal research:
1
Take a picture or video of the animal.
2
Record your GPS coordinates using the vessel GPS or any GPS mapping app.
3
Click on our link to Report a Sighting and fill out the form!
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.
If you see a whale, try to capture photos of the dorsal fin and the underside of the tail or fluke! These areas have unique patterns and markings that may help us identify individual whales!
Fill out the form below to report your whale, dolphin or seal sighting. We appreciate so much your contribution to the Gotham Whale WANTED project!
With any problems or questions, email us at research@gothamwhale.org
Atlantic Marine Conservation Society 631-317-0030
NY Marine Rescue 631-369-9840
Marine Mammal Stranding Center 609-266-0538
Sea Turtle Rescue 609-667-4076