Another dead dolphin washes up ashore in Monmouth County, 8th in NJ since February

This is now the eighth dolphin to end up dead in the Leonardo State Marina section of Monmouth County since February.

Jim Murdoch and Lanette Espy

Mar 16, 2023, 11:38 AM

Updated 631 days ago

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Another dead dolphin washed up on a beach in Monmouth County.
This is now the eighth dolphin to end up dead in the Leonardo State Marina section of Monmouth County since February. Three died at Sandy Hook and another had to be put down in Atlantic Highlands. The dead dolphin in Leonardo was the same one that was found with another dolphin earlier that was still alive but later died, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
Some are pointing fingers to offshore wind research, though scientists say there's no connection there.
A video sent to News 12 by Middletown Mayor Tony Perry showed the dead mammal on the beach of the state-owned Leonardo Marina. The town has notified the state about the latest death. Since December, there have been a dozen or so whales washing up on New York and New Jersey beaches. This is now the seventh dolphin to wind up dead in New Jersey since February.
"All offshore wind survey activities have been permitted by NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and deemed safe for marine mammals, i.e., no injurious activities have been permitted for offshore wind developers,” the DEP said in a statement.
"The people of New Jersey deserve better than to have local rule and input categorically dissed as we have already seen in Cape May and Ocean City and Sea Girt in my district will likely be next,” Rep. Chris Smith said. “Our well-founded concerns... including 30 shore mayors who signed a letter admonishing a pause—should not be trivialized, mocked or dismissed."
There was a large public turnout at the Wildwood Convention Center for a hearing on the matter. Rep. Jeff Van Drew said wind developer Orsted declined to appear at the hearing.