A group of Republican State Senators lead by 24th district Senator Steve Oroho are asking Governor Murphy to stop underwater surveys off the New Jersey coast for at least 30 days. The surveys are being done to expand the construction of wind farms several miles from the New Jersey shoreline. The problem is 10 dead whales have washed onto New Jersey and New York beaches since December. Which is much higher than normal. Last week several dolphins died after stranding themselves off Sandy Hook. Which has added to concerns expressed by some environmental groups. Oroho said "Senate Republicans are deeply concerned by the surge of whale deaths that has occurred since December in the waters and on beaches of the Jersey Shore and neighboring states. Senate Republicans are calling on Governor Murphy to issue a 30 day moratorium on wind farm development to help understand if that work is responsible for a large increase in whale deaths in the region.
Whales and Dolphins use sonar to navigate and find food. Wind farm surveys also use underwater sonar technology.
Source: New Jersey Senate Republicans
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