Unproven theories about offshore wind development have been circulating — convincing many that it’s linked to a recent series of whale deaths on the New Jersey shore. According to a new Farleigh Dickinson University poll, the public doesn’t support Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent clean energy goals. Some 39% of New Jersey residents say offshore wind development should be halted, compared to 35% who voted to continue development.

This margin grows even wider in coastal communities. In Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean counties, 44% of residents say development should be halted. The poll also shows that more educated voters were more likely to support offshore wind development.

According to the latest research, ships, boating traffic and climate change are the culprits of whale deaths.

“The argument that the wind farms are hurting cute, smart animals just craters support,” said Dan Cassino, the director of the poll. “People concerned about the environment want to have green energy, but put that up against dolphins, and the dolphins are going to win every time.”