Migration Season 2023 & earlier

In 2012, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission established the first-ever coastwide catch limit for Atlantic Menhaden, a keystone species whose population had dwindled by about 90% due to overfishing. Often referred to as the most important fish in the sea, Menhaden, a small 6-10” omnivore, play a vital role in maintaining the marine ecosystem. They feed on zooplankton and phytoplankton, effectively filtering and cleaning the water as they swim. They also serve as prey for numerous larger species.

Within six years of enacting this catch limit, Menhaden populations returned to stable levels. The positive impact was unequivocal as water quality improved, and whales, sharks, dolphins, and other animals returned closer to the shore than in any living memory.

From 2019 to 2023, the waters off Long Island were alive with activity — dense schools of menhaden, whales feeding near shore, dolphins and bluefish chasing through the surf. But by 2022, subtle changes emerged: fewer fish, less surface movement, and a noticeable drop in sightings. What once felt like a period of abundance began to show signs of strain.

Aerial view of two humpback whales creating bubble nets in green water.

An aerial view of a whale with several smaller fish swimming nearby in greenish water.

School of fish swimming in clear green water

Aerial view of a lone fish swimming among a large school of fish in the ocean, creating dynamic, flowing patterns in the water.

Large ocean wave crashing, black and white photo

Humpback whale breaching the surface of the ocean with a gull flying nearby.

A whale breaching the water's surface near the shore in black and white.

Black and white image of a swirling school of fish in water.

Black and white photo of ocean waves crashing with foam

Aerial view of ocean waves meeting in turquoise and white foam

Aerial view of fish swimming in green water

A large school of fish swimming underwater in a dense formation against a blue-green ocean backdrop.

A school of fish swimming in clear blue-green water, with light reflections creating ripples and patterns on the surface.

Dolphins swimming near a coastal cliff with a lighthouse in the background.

Aerial view of a beach with green ocean water, waves crashing onto the sandy shore, and a large group of fish visible in the water.

Overhead view of a whale surfacing in green water, releasing a spout of mist.

A school of fish swimming in clear green water, viewed from above.

Aerial view of a whale swimming underwater in green water.

Aerial view of a large school of fish forming a circular pattern in clear greenish-blue water, with a sandy disturbance in the center.

Aerial view of a large school of fish swimming in a circular pattern in turquoise water.

Aerial view of a group of rays swimming in greenish water next to a dense school of fish.

Several fish swimming in clear greenish water reflecting sunlight.

Aerial view of a hammerhead shark swimming in clear green water.

Aerial view of a dolphin swimming through a large school of fish in the ocean, creating a swirling pattern in the water.

Aerial view of a large school of fish swirling in clear turquoise water.

Aerial view of three sharks swimming near a large school of fish in the ocean.

Aerial view of a humpback whale swimming in the ocean

Large school of fish swimming in turbulent water.

Aerial view of a large whale surrounded by a dense school of fish in the ocean.

Aerial view of turbulent ocean water with whitecaps and swirling patterns.

Birds gathered on a beach with sand dunes on the right, viewed from above.

Two whales swimming near the surface of the ocean, showing their backs and dorsal fins.