(your article) " blames the whale deaths on climate change, and warmer, acidic water."

There's several significant gaps in those assertions by just one N.J. commissioner, attributing the 2023 spike in whale deaths to climate change.  Basically by blaming  " menhaden moving closer to shore as ocean temperatures rise."

The big news for menhaden is how a decade of conservation has substantially increased their numbers.  Catch limits have succeeded very well.  Some areas are now seeing the waters boiling with the menhaden bait fish.   Clean up efforts, for example of the Hudson River, have also supported those schools of fish to attain impressive population growths.   

Bountiful & widespread menhaden populations would signal that whales would not be searching for food beyond their normal feeding grounds.  Thus avoiding feeding in shallow or warmer waters near beaches.   Thus avoiding beaching and deaths.

Atlantic Menhaden are found in waters from Maine to Florida so it seems their habitat temps can vary widely, across wide ranges.  But climate warming of the oceans has been measured in tiny increments.  

Yet a side issue has arisen; -- as quoted in one report:  "It's kind of a good/bad/ news story of the Hudson River cleaning up and influencing the area around New York and New Jersey in a positive manner," said Sieswerda. "I'm afraid to say that the increase in numbers of whales has increased the risk to those whales, in an area that is the most active port on the Eastern Seaboard… They're playing in traffic." 

The increased boat traffic, relating to wind turbines, is one of the well known hazards to whales.  Sonar surveys of the sea floor before design & construction requires hundreds of trips back and forth across selected, proposed sites.  

I noted that just one N.J. person was attempting a connection of whale deaths to climate change, but no studies, nor govt authorities nor environmental groups  were cited.   

Sorry Joe, that article appears far from authoritative nor is it persuasive.   

References:

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