Endangered Fin Whale Found Deceased in New Jersey, Investigation launched
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Authorities are working to determine the cause of death of an endangered fin whale discovered on the bow of a container ship docked in Gloucester City, New Jersey, on Tuesday. The discovery has prompted an investigation by the national Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and underscores the ongoing threats faced by these majestic marine mammals.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a New Jersey-based animal rescue organization, initially reported the incident after receiving notification from the U.S.Coast Guard on Sunday. The whale was found at the Gloucester Marine Terminal, located near the Walt Whitman Bridge, which connects new Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Removing the Carcass for Examination
The center is currently focused on safely removing the whale’s carcass to facilitate a thorough necropsy, a post-mortem examination intended to reveal the cause of death. According to a statement released Tuesday, the goal is to understand the factors contributing to the whale’s demise.
“We are working to tow the carcass away in order to conduct a necropsy and determine how the whale died,” the center stated in a follow-up social media post.
NOAA’s enforcement office has confirmed it has opened an investigation into the death, but declined to provide further details at this time. The agency is urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact its hotline.
A Vulnerable Species
The deceased animal is estimated to be a fin whale measuring between 25 and 30 feet in length (7.6 to 9.1 meters). This endangered species frequently inhabits the waters stretching from southern New Jersey to the New York City area.
Fin whales,the second-largest animals on Earth behind the blue whale,can grow to an impressive 85 feet (25.9 meters) long and weigh between 40 and 80 tons (36.3 and 72.6 metric tons). While populations have shown gradual recovery in the Atlantic Ocean due to dedicated conservation efforts following near extinction from commercial hunting, they remain vulnerable.
Facing Multiple Threats
All dolphins, porpoises, and whales are protected under the federal Marine Mammal protection Act, which prohibits actions that could harm them. Despite this protection, fin whales continue to face important threats, including:
- Ship strikes: Collisions with vessels pose a major risk to whale populations.
- Fishing gear entanglements: Whales can become trapped in fishing nets and lines,leading to injury or death.
- Climate change: Shifting ocean conditions and prey availability impact whale health and distribution.
The incident in New Jersey serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing these majestic creatures and the importance of continued conservation work to ensure their survival.
