Record Whale Sighting Highlights New York Harbor’s Marine Revival

On August 13 2022, a whale-watching tour operated by American Princess Cruises recorded nine whales swimming together in New York Harbor. Naturalist Celia Ackerman, also a research associate with Gotham Whale, captured multiple photographs of the group against the city skyline.

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A 2019 study cited by the New York Post described the harbor’s water as the purest in nearly 110 years, a condition attributed to the Clean Water Act of 1972 and sustained volunteer clean-up efforts. Improved water quality has boosted fish populations, providing a reliable food source that encourages whales to linger rather than merely transit the area.

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Key participants include Celia Ackerman, who serves both as the cruise’s naturalist and a Gotham Whale research associate, and the nonprofit Gotham Whale, which focuses on marine-mammal research, education, and advocacy. Their combined efforts have produced a growing visual record of the harbor’s cetaceans.

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• August 13 2022: nine whales observed on a single cruise.

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• 2025: Gotham Whale’s catalog lists nearly 500 humpback whales off the New York coast.

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• August 8 2022: two sharks sighted off Queens; the prior week saw 15 shark sightings in one day (ABC 7).

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• Additional sightings: Clymene dolphins were also photographed during the same period.

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The resurgence signals broader ecosystem recovery, yet officials warn that denser whale presence raises the probability of vessel-whale collisions. In response, regulatory bodies have considered expanding speed-limit zones to mitigate impact.

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Gotham Whale posted the cruise images on social media, emphasizing the need for public awareness to prevent collisions. In January 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) withdrew a proposal to extend year-round speed-limit protections, citing administrative setbacks.

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Marine-conservation groups and some local officials argue that the withdrawal of speed-limit expansions leaves a protection gap as whale numbers climb. They contend that without stricter vessel regulations, the risk of fatal encounters will increase.

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• “Amazing day to say the least,” — Gotham Whale, social-media caption

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• “I would’ve been screaming. This is so magical!” — Cruise participant

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• “Photo credit: Celia Ackerman/Gotham Whales Hands down, most successful whale watching cruise ever.” — Commenter

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• “Something else to make your heart happy!” — Commenter

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While Gotham Whale’s catalog approximates 500 humpbacks, systematic, government-run population counts are lacking, creating uncertainty about exact abundance and collision statistics. The disparity between anecdotal sightings and formal inventories remains unresolved.

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Gotham Whale continues to document sightings and plans to share data with regulatory agencies. Stakeholders are monitoring the feasibility of reinstating or revising speed-limit zones, and ongoing research aims to balance marine recovery with maritime safety.

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