Navigating the Currents of Concern: Electromagnetic Fields and Marine Life in the New York-New Jersey Region

 In the waters surrounding New York and New Jersey, we have witnessed over a decade of undeniable positive feedback regarding the relationship between certain migratory fish species and electromagnetic fields (EMF). Two striking examples are the Hudson River and Raritan Bay, historic spawning and migratory egress locations for various species including striped bass, American eel, American shad, alewife, blueback herring, Atlantic long-nosed sturgeon, as well as marine mammals like humpback whales, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and several species of sea turtles.

Raritan Bay and the Hudson River host 660-megawatt (MW) submarine transmission cables, one since 2007 and the other since 2013. These high-voltage cables, alongside an array of telecom and undersea cables, crisscross the waters, yet marine life continues to thrive. It's an astonishing sight to behold—these vibrant ecosystems coexist with the infrastructural marvels beneath them.

Note that both submarine cables used in these projects are remarkably like the cables planned for transmission of power from the offshore wind projects planned in the New York Bight. Both are heavily insulated, triple wound to reduce EMFs. These projects also used a water-powered “jet plow” device for burying the cables 6 feet beneath the seabed, which further diminishes the EMF levels to a barely detectable level. The ecosystem effects of using this method have been proven worldwide as temporary and safe. In fact, fish have been observed feeding in the wake of the jet plow, and other creatures have been seen during post-installation inspections to have made a home directly over the cable lay.

Among these projects, the Neptune Project stands out as a monumental feat of engineering. Stretching 65 miles undersea and underground from Sayreville, New Jersey, to Nassau County on Long Island, the Neptune Project provides a 660 MW electric transmission line to Long Island consumers—enough to power 600,000 homes. 

Similarly, the Hudson Project, completed in June 2013, links New York City and New Jersey with a 660 MW electric transmission line, enhancing power supply and enabling access to renewable resources. Both projects employ high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology, utilizing underground and underwater routes. The Hudson cable, entirely underground and underwater, runs from Ridgefield, New Jersey, to Manhattan, providing New York City with essential power resources while minimizing environmental impact. 

Three major factors determine the exposure of marine organisms to magnetic and induced electric fields from undersea power cables: the amount of electrical current being carried, cable design, and distance from the cable. Fish species, including electro-sensitive and magneto-sensitive varieties like elasmobranchs (rays), eels, and sturgeons, possess specialized sensory organs to perceive electric and magnetic fields, crucial for prey detection, predator avoidance, and migration navigation.

Over the past decade, we have witnessed a drastic increase in the recreationally important striped bass population in this very area. These fish are referred to as anadromous, meaning they live in the salt, but must migrate to freshwater headwaters to spawn. The upper reaches of the Raritan River and the Hudson River are considered natal waters and to reach them, these fish had to swim directly over the cables to do this. This would hold true for several other vital and declining species like alewife and blueback herring and American shad. This success is a clear example of EMFs having a ZERO effect or blockage of egress to spawning areas.

Another critically important recreational and commercial fish, the Summer flounder, a flatfish that lives directly on the bottom returns from its winter grounds offshore and crosses the cable areas each spring to the warmer waters of the back bays and feed. This is yet a perfect example of a species that lives in harmony with the submarine cables in our area.

Another remarkable thing has occurred over the past decade regarding a specific forage species in the area called Atlantic menhaden (bunker). Due to conservation efforts and cuts in harvest, these critical baitfish have returned to this area in record numbers. Because of this, the past decade has seen a drastic increase in the number of humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins (that feed upon the massive schools of bunker) in the same area, right on over the submarine cable areas, and clearly would not choose to remain here if, in fact, the EMFs were a negative factor.

While these species demonstrate remarkable adaptability to EMF, our responsibility as stewards of the ocean demands ongoing research, monitoring, and mitigation efforts to minimize potential harm. Understanding the intricate interplay between EMF and marine life is paramount for sustainable development and conservation.

As we marvel at the coexistence of technological innovation and natural wonders in our coastal waters, let us remain vigilant in our commitment to preserving the rich biodiversity that thrives beneath the surface. By fostering collaboration between industry, government, environmental and fishery stakeholders, we can ensure that future generations inherit a thriving marine ecosystem—one where electromagnetic fields and marine life harmoniously coexist.