BARNEGAT LIGHT, N.J. — A heavily decomposed baleen whale, believed to be an endangered female fin whale, washed into the surf off 11th Street in Barnegat Light on Monday, prompting a coordinated response by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and local, state, and federal agencies.
The whale was first reported Sunday morning by a boater who spotted the carcass floating about 1.5 miles off the coast of Long Beach Island. The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a drift analysis that predicted the whale would move north and toward shore over the following 24 hours.
Whale drifted north before reaching shore
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said it received numerous public reports throughout Sunday that helped responders monitor the whale’s movement.
“On Monday morning at 8:00 a.m., the whale was reported drifting in the surf at 11th Street in Barnegat Light,” the organization said. “MMSC’s Stranding Coordinator has been on scene all day monitoring the movement of the whale, and is working with local, State and Federal assets for a recovery, examination and disposal plan.”
Officials said the whale continued drifting north through the day and was last observed just south of the Barnegat Inlet jetty.
Public urged not to touch whale remains
The organization said the carcass is in an advanced state of decomposition.
“The carcass is heavily decomposed and scavenged, with parts of the body starting to disarticulate and break up in the surf,” the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said.
Because marine mammals are protected under federal law, officials are asking anyone who discovers whale remains or other stranded marine mammals not to touch or collect them.
- A suspected female fin whale washed ashore Monday in Barnegat Light after drifting offshore for nearly a day.
- The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is coordinating recovery, examination and disposal efforts with multiple agencies.
- Officials are asking the public not to touch any whale remains and to report sightings immediately.
Instead, the public is asked to report any whale remains immediately to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s 24-hour Stranding Hotline at 609-266-0538. Officials said updates will be provided as recovery operations continue.
The cause of the whale’s death has not yet been determined. Authorities expect additional information to become available once the carcass can be recovered and examined, although its advanced decomposition may limit what investigators can determine.
FAQ
- Where was the whale found?
The whale washed into the surf near 11th Street in Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. - What type of whale is it?
Officials believe it is an endangered female fin whale, though identification remains preliminary. - Who is handling the response?
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is coordinating recovery efforts with local, state and federal agencies. - Can people collect parts of the whale?
No. Marine mammals are federally protected, and the public is asked not to touch or collect any remains. - Who should people call if they find marine mammal remains?
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s 24-hour Stranding Hotline at 609-266-0538.
Sources: Marine Mammal Stranding Center; U.S. Coast Guard.
