On December 14th, 2022, images of surfers in the rockaways trying to help push a juvenile sperm whale back into the water made the rounds on social media and eventually the news. This would be the beginning of what is being called an “Unusual Mortality Event” for this winter for whales along the east coast.

In all, around 23 whales have washed ashore along the East Coast since December. There has been much speculation as to what is causing these deaths. Everything from container ships to wind farms have been thrown around. We wanted to bring on to the show to discuss these whale strandings and get a better understanding as to what is happening to that population along the east coast.

Our guest is journalist Andrew Lewis, who has been covering this story for New Jersey Spotlight News and is a writer for The New York Times Magazine. Andrew was a former editor at Surfing Magazine and has written for numerous publications over the years and wrote a book called The Drowning of Money Island, a story about a community left behind in the wake of a devastating hurricane. His writing tends to explore stories that inhabit the narrow corners where water and humans collide. Andrew is our guest and I’m excited to welcome him to the show.


For more information on Andrew Lewis and his work you can go to: www.andrewslewis.com
Here are some articles and resources that we found helpful in researching for this episode:

• https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2023/01/nj-whale-deaths-prompt-questions/
• https://nammco.no/humpback-whale/#:~:text=Estimates%20indicate%20that%20there%20are,whales%20in%20the%20North%20Atlantic.
• https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/2016-2023-humpback-whale-unusual-mortality-event-along-atlantic-coast
• https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/OCW01_COP%20Volume%20I_20220614.pdf
• https://oceanwindone.com/about-the-project
• https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/28/nyregion/east-coast-whale-deaths.html
• https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/press-room/press-release-archives/2022-press-releases1/port-authority-reports-facility-volumes-for-december-and-full-ye.html

The Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network.
www.swellseasonsurfradio.com

Music:
Opening Song: Ocean
Artist: Matti Bye
Album: Classical Crossover

Closing Song: Oceans
Artist: Pearl Jam
Album: Ten