BARNEGAT LIGHT, NJ – A 54-foot long fin whale washed up on the beach along Long Beach Island this weekend. The whale was pronounced dead and it appears it was struck by a ship some time prior.
According to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, on Sunday, August 29th the center responded to a report of a large deceased whale in the surf in Barnegat Light.
“Our Stranding Technician arrived on scene at 6:00 am, and identified the whale as a 54’ male Fin whale,” MMSC said. “Upon examination, the decomposing whale had a significant injury consistent with a ship strike, as well as several large shark bites.”
This is not the same whale that was stranded in Delaware last Friday the center confirmed.
“Fin whales are an Endangered species, and are the second-largest species of whale, with only the blue whale being larger,” a release from MMSC read.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center has responded to 33 Fin whales over the past 43 years.
The whale is scheduled to be buried on the beach by the Barnegat Light Public Works department.
“We are reminding the public to please respect the safety perimeters put in place around the whale by the Barnegat Light Police department, and do not attempt to touch the carcass,” the agency said.
Photo by Marine Mammal Stranding Center.