A 20-foot Minke whale was killed in Barnegat Bay on Saturday after being struck by a vessel, prompting a coordinated emergency response and plans for a necropsy early Monday.
At 2:45 p.m., the Marine Mammal Stranding Center received a report from the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit of a whale spotted near the inlet. Just under an hour later, a boater contacted officials to report a collision between a vessel and the whale, which nearly caused the boat to capsize and resulted in a passenger going overboard.
Sea Tow personnel, who remained at the scene to monitor the animal, confirmed the whale was dead by the time the Stranding Coordinator arrived. The whale had drifted to a sandbar in shallow water outside of the main navigational channel. The crew was able to observe the animal from 30 yards but could not approach closer due to tidal conditions.
Officials identified the species as a Minke whale, commonly found in the North Atlantic but rarely seen this close to shore in Barnegat Bay. The whale is scheduled to be towed to a New Jersey state park on Monday morning, where a full necropsy will be performed by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center to determine the cause of death and assess for any pre-existing health conditions.
Boaters in the area north of Double Creek Channel have been advised to maintain a distance of at least 150 feet from the whale carcass and to navigate with caution. Sightings or related incidents can be reported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center hotline.
Key Points
- A Minke whale was struck and killed by a boat in Barnegat Bay Saturday afternoon
- The whale will be moved and examined during a necropsy on Monday morning
- Boaters are urged to keep 150 feet away from the carcass and exercise caution in the area
