The Brief Gotham Whale, a Staten Island-based nonprofit, documented its 500th humpback whale in New York City waters. Whale-watching vessels throughout the area contribute to the NYC Humpback Whale Catalog, which started in 2012. Gotham Whale, a Staten Island-based nonprofit marine research and conservation group, documented its 500th humpback whale in the waters surrounding the five boroughs. The backstory:St. Lawrence said the Humpback Whale Catalog was started in 2012 by photographing the underside of whales' tail prints. "Historically, humpback whales go a little further north to feed, places like the Gulf of Maine, off of Cape Cod.