A Dive into New York’s Hidden Ocean Treasures
I had the great privilege of interviewing Celia Ackerman, who is a naturalist for American Princess Cruises and a Research Associate for Gotham Whale. Here are some highlights from our conversation.
An Unexpected Encounter
I was completely astonished at discovering that there are whale watching opportunities right off the coast of New York. I was in Brooklyn, saw the American Princess Cruise advertising for whales, and thought, ‘Oh, there’s no way.’ But to our delight, the trip was real, and the experience was amazing! It turns out that Celia Ackerman, a marine naturalist for the very whale watching experience I had, had a similar tale of surprise. “One day on my day off, I went to spend the day downtown by the Hudson River, and there was a billboard there saying, “Whale Watching: American Princess”. Whale watching?! I’m like, whale watching in New York City? And I walked right into the office.
I introduced myself to the captain. He said, ‘Yes, come on’”.
(You can buy tickets online here- https://americanprincesscruises.com/new-york-cruises/. Current departure point Pier 3 - Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.)
Whales as Unique Individuals
Celia has now been a part of the American Princess team as a naturalist for over 8 years! One of the most fascinating aspects of her work is the identification of whales. Each whale's fluke, or tail, serves as a unique fingerprint. "We have documented over 300 whales coming to the coast," Celia explains. "Scientists use the pattern on the underside of the tail to identify each individual humpback whale."
She has been helping as a research associate with Gotham Whale, where they assist in cataloging and tracking these magnificent creatures. This meticulous work involves reviewing photos to determine if a whale is new or a returning visitor. Sometimes all they have is a photo of the dorsal fin, so they have one catalog for tails and one for dorsal fins to identify each individual whale. A lot of time and dedication is required in marine conservation.
A Passion Ignited Early
Celia’s passion for marine life began in high school with an internship at the New York Aquarium. "At 18, I was feeding beluga whales, penguins, and seals," she recalls. This hands-on experience was invaluable, eventually leading to a full-fledged career as a naturalist!
Connecting with Marine Life
Celia had many heartfelt memories of interacting with marine animals during her time as a marine mammal caretaker/trainer at New York Aquarium and Central Park Zoo (part of the World Conservation Society, WCS.org). One of her favorite memories was working with a friendly beluga whale named Amy Lou. "She was always wanting to play after her meals. My supervisors often had to call me back over the speaker. ‘Please come back to the food room’ because once I started playing with her, you know, the time flew by”. These personal connections helped Celia understand and appreciate the unique personalities of marine creatures, to be able to learn about their personalities and to see how they think and learn. In turn, she now shares her knowledge with us as a naturalist.
The Call for Conservation
A significant part of our conversation focused on the urgent need for public awareness and conservation. Celia emphasizes that many people are unaware of the rich marine life around New York. "We have magnificent whales and dolphins seasonally coming here, and people need to be aware of this," she stresses.
Combating Littering and Promoting Responsibility
Littering poses a serious threat to marine environments. "Litter on the streets reaches the beach, and everything that goes down the storm drains ends up in the ocean," Celia explains. She has been advocating for a massive educational effort to instill a sense of personal responsibility in people, emphasizing proper disposal of trash to protect marine life.
Community Efforts and Future Initiatives
While local environmental groups play a crucial role, Celia calls for more citywide initiatives to address littering and conservation. She proposes more public signs and slogans in public transport areas to raise awareness. "We need to change the mindset that someone else will clean up after us".
Call to Action
To learn more about marine conservation efforts or to participate in a whale-watching trip, visit the American Princess Cruises website. Let's join hands in protecting our marine environment—every little effort counts!
Other resources:
For boaters- Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society us.whales.org
Our government-led marine conservation and education NOAA
NOAA’s Whale SENSE