Celia Ackerman can be found underwater (she’s a certified scuba diver) and above it aboard the American Princess, a commercial whale watching vessel. Employed as a naturalist, she eagerly shares information to whale watching passengers.

“During boarding, I check in guests, which gives me the opportunity to meet everyone individually,” she says. “I educate them on guidelines, marine mammals, other marine life, birds, and general ocean ecology.”

While underway, Ackerman also “spots for whales, helping the captain to locate and keep track of them.”

“Thar she blows! is the announcement from the Captain that everyone wants to hear,” Ackerman shares. “The main whale species we encounter is the humpback, but we’ve sighted minke, finback, and even the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.”

Amidst the squeals of excitement from the crowd who came to see whales, Ackerman photographs the whales as the others point and gush. The images she captures are necessary for identification — each humpback whale has a unique pattern on the underside of its tail or fluke.

“The pattern is akin to a human fingerprint. When they fluke-up and dive, scientists can use those underneath markings and the outline, or trailing edge, of each fluke to identify individual members of this species. A few, clear snapshots of the dorsal fin on the whale’s back will also be useful for recognition,” explains Ackerman.

Those whales are central to Ackerman’s existence. When she’s not doing her job aboard American Princess, she volunteers for Gotham Whale — an organization committed to education, advocacy, and science about whales, dolphins, and seals in the Hudson River and New York Harbor. The American Princess has a longstanding partnership with this non-profit organization founded in 2011.

“Since I collect data while onboard, my duties as naturalist facilitate my role as a research associate for Gotham Whale,” Ackerman says. “Gotham Whale uses the fluke images to identify individuals in its New York Humpback Whale Catalog (NYCHWC), which currently stands at 213 whales. Since the humpback whale is a migratory species, whales in the NYCHWC have been seen as far away as Newfoundland, Florida, and the Caribbean Sea, which is the mating and calving grounds of our regional population.”

Once the whale cruise ends, Ackerman compiles her photos, behavior notes, and coordinates of encountered whales. She submits a sightings report to Paul Sieswerda, Gotham Whale’s founder, who enters it into a database keeping track of the humpback whales and other species spotted over the years. The info comes not only from dedicated volunteers such as Ackerman but also through boaters, anglers, and commercial vessels who act as “Citizen Scientists” for Gotham Whale.

“Every entry gives us a better understanding of when and where humpback whales and other marine mammals are sighted in the waters of New York,” says Ackerman.

Ackerman, Sieswerda, and Gotham’s lead whale researcher, Danielle M. Brown, examine fluke and dorsal photographs, reviewing details to see if they match a whale currently in the NYCHWC, or if it’s a new individual to catalogue.

Per Ackerman, “Gotham Whale maintains the longest-running identification records of humpback whales in NYC waters — a new feeding ground for the whales over the past 10 years. We also analyze data showing the seasonality, location, and densities of the whales seen; our researchers work to publish these findings in peer reviewed reports and journals, so it is available to the scientific community and policy makers for science and conservation.

“We also share information and engage in cooperative studies with other cataloging groups; sadly, we’ve been able to identify deceased whales that wash ashore.”

Statistics are also important for another reason, Ackerman reveals. “By maintaining the NYCHWC, our team is able to report previous entanglements, locations, and feeding behavior on individual whales. We can also provide vital data about a whale’s movement and apparent health.”

Prior to her present occupation, Ackerman worked as a marine mammal caretaker and trainer for the Wildlife Conservation Society. “I cared for various cetacean and pinniped species, as well as polar bears and penguins. I got to know many of them as individuals, which was a rewarding opportunity.”

As a fan of ocean travel, she was pleased to join the American Princess and Gotham Whale, combining her knowledge and observation skills with regular time out on the water.

“Seeing a whale never gets old,” Ackerman declares. “I especially enjoy sharing those moments with our guests, many of whom are viewing a whale for the very first time. As a naturalist, it’s extremely gratifying to have the opportunity to inspire stewardship of these magnificent creatures amongst passengers of all ages.”

Despite the rewarding aspects of her advocacy, there is a downside to being observers of nature. “Disheartening moments arise, particularly when we come across a whale that is entangled or has sustained injuries from a ship strike.”

Ackerman explains that the ports of New York and New Jersey are the busiest along the Atlantic Coast. “The overlap of shipping activities and whale habitat increases the risk of ship strikes and injuries to whales.”

In addition to ship strikes, other threats lurk. “Even though most nations no longer engage in commercial whaling, all whales and dolphins face continued threats, including climate change, habitat degradation, anthropogenic noise, and fishing gear entanglement.”

Like a maritime neighborhood watch, American Princess captains notify large ships if one or more whales are on a potentially intersecting course. If Ackerman or others spot a marine creature in distress, authorities are alerted. At times, reports can result in a positive outcome, she relates.

“In 2019, a rescue took place when NYC0071 [a catalogued whale], caught up in two rope lines around its upper jaw, was disentangled by highly skilled teams from NOAA Fisheries and the Center for Coastal Studies.”

Another highlight for Ackerman took place in 2019. “We had three whales interacting with each other by our vessel (engines in neutral). Since we are in a feeding ground location for these whales, we don’t always get to see multiple whales socializing, but these three whales were traveling slowly and close together. Their behaviors included side rolling, bubble blowing, and a few moments of head rubbing!”

Thanks to improved water quality and an increase in Atlantic menhaden (aka “bunker”), a fish favored by humpbacks, whale sightings around New York City have increased in recent years.
That makes the chances of spotting whales high on a cruise. However, Ackerman cautions American Princess passengers that, “Each trip is different. Whales are highly mobile and it’s hard to predict where they will be. Not to mention, they spend their life underwater, making them challenging to view.

“However, as they are mammals like us, all whales have to breathe. So when they come to the surface for that breath exchange, we can look for spouts, body parts, and splashes from various behaviors to find them.”

Ackerman declares that she stresses safety protocols for passengers and wildlife alike. “Our goal is to find, enjoy, and take note of whatever the whales are doing at the moment. We don’t want to disrupt or alter their behavior in any way. Doing so can be considered harassment, which is against the law.

“All marine mammals are protected in the U.S. under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MM PA) of 1972, and some species even under the Endangered Species Act. Under the MMPA, it’s against the law to harm, harass, or disturb the natural behaviors of marine mammals.”

Spotting of most whales must be greater than 100 feet, and only one vessel may be within a 300-foot perimeter at a time, advises Ackerman. The distance for North Atlantic right whales is even greater at 1,500 feet. Smaller dolphins, seals, and sea turtles should be viewed from at least 150 feet — “the length of three school buses.”

Her paycheck comes from the American Princess, but Ackerman finds it rewarding to volunteer with Gotham Whale’s Sieswerda and collaborate with other researchers and staff. “As marine mammal sightings increase in our area, we need to document their occurrence accurately in order to advocate for their safety. I’m glad to assist Gotham Whale in achieving its mission and to be a part of marine mammal conservation efforts in my own backyard.”

Does seeking whales ever grow old? “No,” Ackerman says assuredly. “I consider any view of a whale, especially in NYC waters, to be spectacular!

For more information https://gothamwhale.org/,  https://americanprincesscruises.com/,  https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/whale-watching-and-wildlife-viewing-new#give-space

If you spot an endangered, stranded, or sick whale, call the New York State Stranding 24-hour hotline at 631-369-9829 or NOAA at (866) 755-6622 in the mid-Atlantic area. For other numbers, see https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/report.

To report harassment, hail the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16. 

NOAA also has a Dolphin and Whale 911 app to report a stranded marine mammal. 

 

MORE FROM CELIA ACKERMAN

Fascinating wildlife, including whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles, appear seasonally in our waters; all are protected by state and federal laws, as all are vulnerable to harmful human impacts.

 

To report harassment, hail the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16. 

NOAA also has a Dolphin and Whale 911 app to report a stranded marine mammal. 

Even minor disturbances to marine mammals can negatively affect key life functions such as foraging, mating, nursing, and resting, as well as causing changes in migration. Resting and traveling aren’t splashy or surface active behaviors, but they’re essential ones.

You can help wildlife conservation and protect their environment. Remain alert and don’t litter trash or fishing gear in our waterways or on beaches. Apply the carry-in, carryout principle wherever you go.

View whales and dolphins following NOAA’s guidelines, keeping your distance. If a whale comes close, put your engine in neutral, allow the whale to pass, and avoid any abrupt changes when you resume course. Vessels of all sizes should move parallel when viewing a whale — slow down and operate at no-wake speed. Never approach a whale head-on or from behind. Don’t cut them off, encircle, or trap them between watercraft. If a whale is close to the shore, don’t block it from getting into deeper waters.

Remember, whales are unpredictable and can surface at any time, so it’s important for boaters to remain alert. Whales are coming here to feed, and when doing so they aren’t paying attention to their surroundings. Splashes, disturbances at the water’s surface, and active sea birds may all indicate whales are present.

To avoid collisions, if you see a whale feeding, give it extra room. A humpback whale eats up to a few thousand pounds a day, and when doing so, it’s not paying attention to its surroundings. It can suddenly lunge feed, coming partially out of the water. Be wary, too, of breaching whales. In some cases, they’ve landed on boats and kayaks, causing damage to the crafts and human injuries. Splashes, disturbances at the water’s surface, and active sea birds may all indicate whales are present.

Spread the word to friends and fellow boaters — we have so much wildlife in our region to protect and enjoy!

Video: Watch out for spouts! https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/watchoutforspouts/ 

Photos courtesy of Celia Ackerman – American Princess Cruises