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The cruise ship in the Port of Brooklyn, New York, reported the sei whale was caught on the front of the vessel on the morning of Saturday, May 4. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries service for New England and the mid-Atlantic issued a news release about the incident on Wednesday, May 8.
The roughly 44-foot-long whale was brought to shore in Sandy Hook to give better access to heavy equipment. A necropsy was performed on Tuesday, May 7 and tissue samples were collected to be analyzed.
The analysis will help marine biologists determine if the whale was killed by the ship or if it was already dead.
"Sei whales are endangered and are typically observed in deeper waters far from the coastline," NOAA Fisheries said in its release.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) from Brigantine and the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) in Hampton Bays, NY, helped with the whale's necropsy. AMSEAS is leading the investigation.
In a Facebook post, Sea Bright Fire Rescue said it helped tow the roughly 30,000-pound whale to shore. Six members went into the ocean to run more than 200 feet of chain back to a Monmouth County excavator.
As New Jersey offshore wind energy projects move through the approval process, some environmentalists have been concerned about the impacts on marine life, especially whales. NOAA's website said there was no scientific evidence of offshore wind activity causing large whale deaths.
The state Department of Environmental Protection said it has been studying "unusual humpback whale mortality" since January 2016. New Jersey dedicated $8.5 million in 2023 toward "safe and ecologically responsible development of offshore wind energy."
NOAA Fisheries also said it encourages east coast boaters to stay alert for whales and report any that are dead, injured, or entangled. The service issues temporary slow zones to prevent boats from hitting whales.
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, touching, feeding, or hurting whales, dolphins, and porpoises is illegal. If you see ocean mammals or sea turtles stranded, you can call NOAA's hotline at 866-755-6622.
In New Jersey, you can also call MMSC at 609-266-0538.
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