Humpback Whale Carcass Found on Long Beach Island Beach

A dead humpback whale was found washed ashore early Thursday morning on Long Beach Island in Long Beach Township, New Jersey. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center of Brigantine was alerted to the presence of the whale carcass, estimated to be between 20 and 30 feet in length, around 6:45 a.m. near 51st Street. Staff from the Stranding Center and Long Beach police responded to the scene to investigate the incident.

This occurrence adds to the increasing number of humpback whale mortalities recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries division. Since 2016, there have been 218 humpback whale deaths documented in the Atlantic Ocean, with 29 of these along the New Jersey coastline. The event has raised concerns about the impacts of environmental changes on marine life, particularly whales. A study from the University of Massachusetts in 2022 indicated that the migration routes of humpback, fin, and right whales in the northern Atlantic have altered significantly over the past two decades. These changes could increase the likelihood of whales encountering dangers such as busy shipping lanes, which may lead to more frequent ship strikes or entanglements.

In the context of these concerns, New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has committed over $3 million to ensure the responsible development of wind energy projects that consider the potential impacts on marine ecosystems. Despite the challenges, the state continues to advance offshore wind projects, such as the Atlantic Shores project, which aims to generate sufficient electricity to power over 700,000 homes. The incident underscores the need for continued conservation efforts to protect oceanic wildlife amidst human activities and climate-related changes in their habitats.