**The Journey of Jersey Shore Whale Watch: A Tribute to Paul Sieswerda and Gotham Whale**
The recent passing of Paul from Gotham Whale has led me to reflect on my own journey into the world of whale watching and how a simple passion transformed into a thriving business known as Jersey Shore Whale Watch. In honor of Paul’s memory and the incredible support from Gotham Whale, I believe it’s the right time to share this story.
In 2015, my fascination with whales began right from my home in Belmar, New Jersey. I had the unique opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures from my residence, and I took to the skies with my DJI drone to capture better photos of them. Despite having a professional camera and lens, it became apparent that a drone allowed me to get closer to the action. Whales, with their incredible ability to stay submerged for extended periods, often made it a challenge for drones to keep up. In 2015, the average drone flight time was around 15 minutes, which meant you had to locate a whale, launch a drone, hope the whale resurfaced, and retrieve the drone before it ran out of power. The odds were slim.
This is where Gotham Whale entered the picture. I began posting some of my drone-captured whale photos on Twitter, tagging Gotham Whale and its dedicated team. Paul and Catherine from Gotham Whale took notice of my photos and asked me to contribute as a citizen scientist. They even offered me a free beer at a Brooklyn brewery and a newfound friendship. While I appreciated the gesture, a free beer wasn’t enough to entice me to Brooklyn. However, this is where our journey together truly began.
I started sharing whale sightings with Gotham Whale, and Catherine, She confirmed that my sightings were legitimate, and our collaboration grew stronger. As my observations continued for about a year and a half, I felt the urge to take my fascination with whales to the next level. I wanted to see these magnificent creatures up close, not just through a drone’s lens.
So, I approached Paul from Gotham Whale with a proposal: I wanted to run whale watching tours out of Belmar, New Jersey. In his Boston accent, he responded, “Oh, so you’re gonna be my competition?” My response was simple: “People in New Jersey won’t travel all the way to Brooklyn or Rockaway just for a whale watching tour when there’s a marina at the end of my street.” We chuckled at the thought, exchanged best wishes, and I left with his blessing.
That’s when I chartered my first boat with Steve from the Skylarker Charter. The trip was a resounding success, and we ventured as far as the top of Sandy Hook. Steve proved to be a fantastic captain, and the experience was incredibly rewarding.
Soon after, I received a message from Danielle Browne of Gotham Whale. She expressed her interest in whale research and asked if she could join one of my trips. I knew “whale research” was code for “can I come for free,” but I welcomed her on my second whale watching trip in May 2018. Danielle had a great experience, capturing photos and noting the locations of the whales we spotted that day.In a real small world moment we noticed that Danielle live just 3 mins from the Belmar Marina , just like me.How convenient was this!
A day or two later, I received a call from Paul. He told me about a “nice young girl” named Danielle who did whale research for Gotham Whale and expressed her desire to join one of my trips. He asked if it was okay to send her along. I gladly agreed, and she joined us the following week. Little did I know that this encounter would mark the beginning of a beautiful friendship and a wonderful partnership. Danielle soon became our lead naturalist, contributing her expertise to Jersey Shore Whale Watch for the past six years.
Reflecting on the journey, it’s incredible to think that next year will mark the start of our seventh season of whale watching. None of this would have been possible without Paul from Gotham Whale, his unwavering support, and his vision for sharing the wonders of marine life with the world. Through his passion and dedication, Paul touched many lives in the whale watching community, including mine.
As I bid farewell to my dear friend Paul, I raise a glass of scotch in his honor. My deepest condolences go out to his immediate family. Though I’ve only had the pleasure of meeting PJ, I understand the significance of Paul’s legacy and the impact he made on countless individuals.
Paul, you truly were special, and I always told you that. I cherished the opportunity to support your group financially and assist in any way possible. Your passion and dedication live on through me and many others in the whale watching community. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Paul, for the memories, the friendship, and the incredible journey that continues in your honor.
