Urges immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping due to recent unexplained deaths of marine life off the coast of New Jersey.

This Senate Resolution (SR 49) urges the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to immediately pause sonar testing and wind turbine mapping activities off New Jersey's coast. It follows a surge in unexplained marine mammal deaths - 12 whale deaths (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphin deaths in February 2023 - occurring near offshore wind energy development zones. The resolution cites concerns that sonar and underwater mapping used in these projects may disrupt marine mammals' navigation and communication, warranting a temporary halt for scientific study. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal restrictions but requests agencies consider a moratorium while investigating potential links to the marine life deaths.