Urban Survival Stories: FIN-TASTIC!
- Lauren Choy
- Oct 13, 2022
- 1 min read
New Yorkers have been witnessing something fishy in their harbor this summer – yep, you guessed it – the dolphins are back in town! Formerly a rare sight, the research and advocacy organization, Gotham Whale (gothamwhale.org), reports that sightings of dolphins are way up in New York City’s harbor. Further, it’s not just dolphins. Sightings of whales, sharks and rays are much more frequent as well!
According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the increased numbers of dolphin sightings are due to conservation efforts aimed at cleaner waterways and increased food sources. Dolphins can eat up to 20 pounds a day of fish (yep – we know – that’s a lot!), particularly the Atlantic menhaden, a small, silvery type of forage fish. The decades-long efforts to improve sewage treatment plants and limit commercial fishing of the menhaden is clearly paying off in the form of a safer, more healthy habitat for these magnificent creatures!
Watch an excited New Yorker encounter a dolphin!
You Can Make a Difference!
Whether it’s a lake, river or ocean, conservationists are busy researching and advocating for cleaner, safer waterways near you. You can google organizations near you or volunteer or donate to one of these:
Your local aquarium
The Nature Conservancy
The Conservation Fund
Gotham Whale
Menhaden Defenders
Sources: Rutgers University, NY Times, NY Post, Metro UK, Ocean Giants/WCS
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