Whale tail on the surface of ocean

New York Bight Whale Monitoring Program

For decades the New York Bight (NYB) was considered a part of the migratory pathway for large whale species on the East Coast. Though New York has a rich history tied to whales, particularly the shore-based whaling that made ports like Sag Harbor famous, the plentiful and healthy populations of the 1600s were all but forgotten by the mid- to late-1900s when the focus on whales shifted from consumption to conservation. 

New York State identified six large whale species as a priority in the 2005 Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the precursor to the New York State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP, 2015). The High Priority species were - and still are - endangered at the federal and state levels; the population of humpback whales that occur in New York was delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2016.

The SWAP established the following as a High Priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need (PDF):

See our Marine Mammals page for more information on whales in New York and their recovery needs. 

In the early 2010s, information about large whales in the NYB was available from just a few prior surveys, whale watching observations, and stranding records, and experts agreed that more data was necessary for successful management and conservation. As the region prepared for offshore wind energy development, whales were increasingly sighted around New York, both alive and deceased. Driven by the need for data to inform mitigation measures. New York State devoted funding to the development and implementation of a whale monitoring program focused on its six whale species.

DEC’s whale monitoring that began in 2017 was the first multi-year effort of standardized surveys covering the entire NYB at a resolution fine-scale enough to be helpful to managers. In addition, the State released the New York Ocean Action Plan (OAP) in 2017. Actions #19 and #20 describe a whale monitoring program to fill the data gap and provide state and federal managers with the best possible information to advise decision making and to develop a long-term monitoring plan. 

Despite all we have learned, our understanding of whale presence in the New York Bight is still far from comprehensive. As the NYS Whale Monitoring Program continues to take shape, study plans, results, and products will be shared on this page. 

You can explore previous whale monitoring projects below. 

Whale Monitoring in the New York Bight, 2017-2020

Group of 5 Sperm Whales in Ocean
Group of 5 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), April 2018
Two groups of humpback whales in ocean
Two groups of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble net feeding, June 2018
Two North Atlantic Right Whales in Ocean
Two North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), Palmetto (#1970, left) and #3020 (right), March 2017
Sei Whale in ocean
Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), April 2019
Eel in buoy
Stowaway adult American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) in a Cornell University Marine Acoustic Recording Unit (MARU), May 2019
Group of seven humpback whales in ocean
Seven humpback whales (M. novaeangliae), June 2018
Fin whale with dolphins in ocean
Fin whale (B. physalus) with common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), June 2019
Nursing sperm whale in ocean
Nursing sperm whale calf (P. macrocephalus), July 2019
Juvenile Blue Whale in Ocean
Juvenile blue whale (B. musculus), September 2019
Right Whale in Ocean
North Atlantic right whale (E. glacilis), April 2018
Fin Whale in ocean
Fin whale (B. physalus), July 2019
  • Group of 5 Sperm Whales in Ocean
  • Two groups of humpback whales in ocean
  • Two North Atlantic Right Whales in Ocean
  • Sei Whale in ocean
  • Eel in buoy
  • Group of seven humpback whales in ocean
  • Fin whale with dolphins in ocean
  • Nursing sperm whale in ocean
  • Juvenile Blue Whale in Ocean
  • Right Whale in Ocean
  • Fin Whale in ocean

Projects

DEC is committed to funding, maintaining, and collaborating on high quality whale research to help managers recover and conserve our whale species. Below are descriptions of past, present, and future whale work. All projects are partly or fully funded by the Oceans and Great Lakes program of the NYS Environmental Protection Fund.

DEC contracted Cornell University’s Center for Conservation Bioacoustics (formerly the Bioacoustics Research Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology) to explore temporal and spatial occurrences of four species – fin whales, blue whales, humpback whales, and North Atlantic right whales – using archival passive acoustic monitoring. 

The objectives were:

  1. Determine the daily presence of each species. (Note that analysis for humpback whales was done as time allowed).
  2. Determine the seasons for highest whale/ship interactions.
  3. Determine the acoustic masking potential for each species. 

Methods

Because whales rely primarily on sound to communicate, forage, avoid predators, and navigate, acoustic methods are a reliable way to record their presence. Ten bottom-mounted receivers – three at the NY/NJ Harbor entrance and seven in a perpendicular line from the south shore of Long Island out to the continental shelf break – were deployed. Receivers recorded data several months at a time (3/1/08-5/14/08; 8/31-12/2/08; 12/5/08-3/3/09) for a total of 256 days. No data was collected during the summer due to funding constraints.

Results

Whales were detected year-round. At least one species was found each day of recording on the four furthest receivers (numbers 4, 5, 6, 7). However, each species had a different distribution of detections in space and time.

Map of cumulative acoustic detections of all species at each receiver
Map of cumulative acoustic detections of all species at each receiver
Graphs representing percent of days with acoustic detections at each receiver by species and season
Percent of days with acoustic detections at each receiver by species and season. Grey boxes indicate harbor-area receivers and "x" indicates missing data.

The main takeaways of this pilot study were: 

  • Right whales, blue whales, and fin whales are more common in NYB than previously thought.
  • Fin whales were detected every day, mostly offshore but also in the harbor area.
  • Right whales were detected sporadically but there was regular detection during the spring and winter.
  • Blue whales were consistently detected at offshore sites in January and February.

These surprisingly high levels of occurrence indicated the potential for elevated ship strike risk and, most importantly, highlighted the need for more comprehensive baseline monitoring.

The main takeaways of this pilot study were: 

  • Right whales, blue whales, and fin whales are more common in NYB than previously thought.
  • Fin whales were detected every day, mostly offshore but also in the harbor area.
  • Right whales were detected sporadically but there was regular detection during the spring and winter.
  • Blue whales were consistently detected at offshore sites in January and February.

These surprisingly high levels of occurrence indicated the potential for elevated ship strike risk and, most importantly, highlighted the need for more comprehensive baseline monitoring.

Products

The Experts Workshop was a joint effort between the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) and the DEC Division of Marine Resources to answer the question “What are the most appropriate combinations of techniques for long-term monitoring of whale occupancy and residence time in the NY Bight?”. Over 40 experts from academia, federal government, state government, and non-governmental organizations gathered for a day of presentations and discussion on whale monitoring methodology.

To accomplish baseline monitoring, the most critical need of the agency, the State determined that the best approach was to use monthly visual aerial surveys and 24/7 passive acoustic monitoring to collect data for three years. By using a combination of methods, scientists could expect to get some information on whale abundance, fine- and coarse-scale distribution, key overwintering areas, and migration timing and patterns. The contracts (see 2017-2020 Aerial Surveys and 2017-2020 PAM) became the first long-term, fine-scale standardized surveying of the NYB. 

Visit NYNHP’s website to see details of the workshop, including attendees, presentations, and the complete Baseline Monitoring of Large Whales in the New York Bight report.

DEC contracted Tetra Tech Inc., in coordination with Smultea Environmental Sciences, LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. and Aspen Helicopters, Inc., to conduct 36 aerial line-transect surveys from March 2017 through February 2020.

The objectives were to:

  1. Determine the distribution and estimate relative abundance and density of the six priority whale species.
  2. Determine the monthly and seasonal occurrence, and inter-annual variability of the distribution and estimated abundance, density, and relative abundance for each priority whale species.
  3. Record behavioral data of sighted whales as much as possible.
  4. Record sightings of sea turtle species (green, Kemp's ridley, loggerhead, leatherback).
  5. Record relevant environmental variables.

Methods

The survey team used a small high-wing, twin-engine aircraft with bubble windows flown at 1,000 feet and a ground speed of 100-110 knots. Each survey covered 15 transect lines that run perpendicular to Long Island, from its south shore out to the continental shelf break. The longest transect was 110 nautical miles long and all transects combined total approximately 1,530 nautical miles. The survey plan was developed with input from the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) for compatibility with the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS) data, the probability of sightings based on known species distributions, and the estimated minimum sample size requirements for distance sampling. Animals other than whales were recorded opportunistically. Video was recorded from the belly window and a still camera was used to photograph large whale sightings. 

Aerial Survey methods map

             

Results

  • There were 318 sightings of an estimated 629 individual large whales. All six whale species were sighted more than once.
Map showing locations of priority whales recorded in years 1, 2, and 3 by species
Cumulative locations of priority whale species recorded. From Final Comprehensive Report for New York Bight Whale Monitoring Aerial Surveys, March 2017-February 2020.
  • Fin whales (124 sightings of 207 individuals) and humpback whales (111 sightings of 279 individuals) were the most common.
    • Fin whales had the highest sighting rate in spring, while humpback whales had the highest sighting rate in summer.
    • Both species were sighted at least once (cumulatively) during each calendar month and were recorded in all corners of the NYB.
  • Sperm whales (32 sightings of 72 individuals) and North Atlantic right whales (15 sightings of 24 individuals) were consistently present but in lower numbers.
    • Sperm whales seen in every month except May and November, always at the shelf break.
    • Right whales seen November through May, mainly on the shelf but also in nearshore and offshore waters.
  • Sei whales (2 sightings of 7 individuals) and blue whales (3 sightings of 5 individuals), while relatively rare compared to the other species, are still expected visitors.
    • Blue whales were seen offshore in fall and winter.
    • Sei whales were seen only in April, in the middle of the shelf and at the shelf break.
  • The combined density of all six species in the New York Bight was 6.3 individuals/1000km2 and average annual abundance was estimated to be 272 whales.
  • Overall, whales were seen primarily on the shelf and mostly during summer, followed by spring.

Products

Summaries of all whale data collected, and all sightings other marine species like sea turtles, sharks, and other marine mammals, can be found in the annual reports:

Detailed analyses of the whale data, including behavioral observations, can be found in the following publications:

Sightings data collected during these surveys has also been included in several analyses by external parties:

All sightings data collected during this project is publicly available here.

The Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology was contracted to conduct the passive acoustic monitoring survey for large whales in the New York Bight. 

The objectives of this project were to: 

  1. Describe the daily, monthly, and seasonal patterns of acoustic detections of the six priority species.
  2. Describe the spatial distribution of acoustic detections of the six species.
  3. Describe spatial and temporal patterns of ambient noise across the NYB.
  4. Describe the acoustic masking potential for each species as they move through the NYB.

Methods

Fourteen archival recording devices were deployed adjacent to two major shipping lanes of NY/NJ Harbor, one extending east towards Montauk (Ambrose-Nantucket) and one extending southeast towards Hudson Canyon (Ambrose-Hudson). 

Map of Passive Acoustic Monitoring results

Two different recording unit types were used: 10 were Cornell University's Marine Autonomous Recording Units (MARUs) and 4 were JASOC's Autonomous Multichannel Acoustic Recorders (AMARs), later replaced with Autonomous Underwater Recorder for Acoustic Listening units (AURAL M-2s, Multi-Electronique, Inc.).

Receivers were anchored on the sea floor and recorded year-round. MARUs recorded continuously for approximately 3 months at a 5 kHz sampling frequency while AMARs recorded for approximately 6 months at an 8 kHz sampling frequency, and AURALs recorded for approximately 4 months at an 8 kHz sampling frequency. 

Automated species-specific detector algorithms and manual human analysis were used to identify whale sounds.

Results

  • All six whale species were detected during the three years of recording.
  • North Atlantic right whales, fin whales, and humpback whales were detected nearly every month.
  • Right whale presence peaked during fall at sites closer to the harbor, and during spring at sites furthest offshore.
  • Humpback whale presence peaked during fall and summer months at all sites.
  • Fin whale presence was nearly continuous. There was higher presence during winter and summer months, and detections were recorded during at least half the days in spring and fall months. Fin whales were detected at all sites though sites furthest offshore had more detections.
  • Sei whales were detected in winter and spring months, most often at offshore sites.
  • Blue whales were detected less than 10% of the time though they were consistently present between December and February at offshore sites.
Graph of Baleen Whale Monthly Presence shows proportion of days with detections during each calendar month (calendar days per week, cumulatively) by species. Light shading indicates confidence of fit.
Figure shows proportion of days with detections during each calendar month (calendar days per week, cumulatively) by species. Light shading indicates confidence of fit. 
Map shows percentage of days with detections at each site, cumulatively, with proportionally scaled black circles representing each recording site. Each panel is a different species.
Figure shows percentage of days with detections at each site, cumulatively, with proportionally scaled black circles representing each recording site. Each panel is a different species.

Products

All species detections for each survey year are summarized in the annual reports and the cumulative results are available in the final report: 

Detections can be viewed at the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map. 

After careful consideration, DEC elected to prioritize funding the aerial survey element of the core monitoring program. Tetra Tech is contracted to conduct 6 aerial surveys per year for 3 years, following the same 15 transect lines and survey plan as the 2017-2020 surveys. In November 2024 we completed the first of the 18 surveys. The next survey will take place in January 2025. 

More coming soon!

Products

State and Regional Coordination

The NYS Whale Monitoring Program coordinates and collaborates with other entities conducting research in the New York Bight area, including:

DEC also funds a multi-year project collecting and assessing data on marine indicators. The Indicators of Ocean Health Project carried out by a team from Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) includes glider-based real-time passive acoustic monitoring and drone-based photogrammetry to measure and evaluate humpback whale body condition. 

DEC participates in the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative (RWSC) with representation on the Marine Mammal Subcommittee and Sea Turtle Subcommittee. RWSC helps to coordinate whale research on the East Coast, especially as it relates to offshore wind development, and has produced guidance documents on data management, standardization, and sharing for archival passive acoustic monitoring. DEC joins other participating entities in adding language to current and future contracts requiring compliance with RWSC standards. 

More Whale Monitoring Resources

Whale Map
Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map
Whales of New York (Wildlife Conservation Society)
North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog
North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium
Contact for this Page

Division of Marine Resources
123 Kings Park Blvd. (Nissequogue River State Park)
Kings Park, NY 11754

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