BARNEGAT, NJ – A 22-foot minke whale stranded near Conklin Island was successfully led to deeper waters by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) with the support of multiple agencies over a three-day period.
On October 1st, the MMSC, with assistance from the NJ State Police Marine Unit and Sea Tow, freed the whale from a sandbar where it had been stranded. It was last seen heading towards open water as the sunset.
However, the next day, the whale was discovered again, stranded on the southwest side of Clam Island by the Ocean County Mosquito Commission. MMSC’s Stranding Coordinator led the whale to deeper waters, where it was seen resting.
On the morning of October 3rd, the whale was found in shallow water. With the incoming tide, it began moving deeper into the bay. The US Coast Guard and MMSC monitored the whale’s movement, with the last sighting of it being near an inlet during an outgoing tide.
MMSC urges the public to report any sightings to their hotline at (609) 266-0538. They remind everyone that minke whales are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and to keep a distance of at least 300 feet from the whale for safety. Gratitude was extended to all assisting agencies for their continued support.
Photo by Marine Mammal Stranding Center.