Whale Washes Up On The Jersey Shore
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January 13, 2023Whale Washes Up On The Jersey Shore
Photo Credit: MMSC
Brigantine, NJ
The seventh dead whale to wash ashore in the New York-New Jersey region in the last 39 days has been discovered.
According to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the whale washed up on Brigantine's North End beach last night. The Center announced that arrangements are being made for a necropsy and that staff will return soon to collect data and materials.Local groups have been urging a halt to offshore wind construction while they investigate the deaths of the whales that are washing up on the strand in increasing numbers.
Organizations like Protect Our Coast NJ and Clean Ocean Action are urging the federal government to take action and have asked President Joe Biden to look into the mortality of marine mammals and how offshore wind has affected them. In a recent statement, Governor Phil Murphy described the deaths as "tragic" and promised that authorities will look into them.According to The Marine Mammal Stranding Center they received a call about a dead humpback whale on Brigantine's North End beach around 4:50 pm on January 12.
The 20 to 25 foot long cadaver was upside down in the surf when MMSC staff members arrived. Staff members went back this morning at first light to snap pictures because of the oncoming tide and poor lighting last night. Plans are being made to do a necropsy on the animal during a conference call with representatives from NOAA Fisheries and the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network to iron out the details. At the following low tide, employees from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center will return to the area to start collecting data and samples.Samples are distributed to pathologists and other scientists who are involved with looking into whale fatalities, as is the case with all large whales. Before a cause of death can be determined, if at all, these results can take several months to return.
The area is dangerous to visit because of the animal's placement on the North End Natural Area, recent beach erosion, and the anticipated tide cycle. MMSC ask the public to maintain a safe distance from the whale. Please report all stranded marine mammals and sea turtles to NOAA’s marine mammal and sea turtle stranding hotline 866-755-6622 to be directed to a trained responder. All dolphins, porpoises, and whales are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes touching, feeding, or otherwise harming these animals illegal. The best way to assist these animals, and keep them and yourself safe, is by calling trained responders and maintaining a 150-foot distance.
