A 20-foot Minke whale was fatally struck by a vessel in Barnegat Bay on Saturday afternoon, leading to a coordinated response from marine agencies and a planned necropsy to be conducted Monday morning.
The incident was first reported at 2:45 p.m. when the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit notified the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) about a whale sighting near the inlet. Less than an hour later, a boater reported that their vessel had collided with the whale, causing the boat to nearly capsize and tossing one passenger into the water.
Sea Tow crews, who remained on site to monitor the whale, confirmed the animal was deceased by the time MMSC responders arrived. The body had drifted to a sandbar just outside the main channel, where tidal conditions prevented close inspection. Responders observed the whale from a distance of 30 yards.
The animal was identified as a Minke whale, a species native to the North Atlantic but rarely seen so close to shore in Barnegat Bay. Officials have arranged for the whale’s body to be transported to a nearby New Jersey state park Monday morning, where the MMSC will conduct a necropsy to determine the cause of death and examine for underlying health issues.
Boaters have been instructed to steer clear of the area north of Double Creek Channel and to remain at least 150 feet from the carcass for safety. The public is asked to report any additional sightings or incidents to the MMSC hotline.
Key Points
- A Minke whale was struck and killed by a vessel Saturday in Barnegat Bay
- The whale’s body will be moved Monday for a necropsy by marine scientists
- Boaters are advised to maintain a 150-foot distance from the carcass and use caution
