Community Corner
Dead Whale Washes Up On Long Beach Island
The carcass of a 54-foot whale washed up on a Barnegat Light beach on Sunday. Officials said the whale was likely struck by a ship.
BARNEGAT LIGHT, NJ — The carcass of a 54-foot whale washed up on a Barnegat Light beach on Sunday.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center responded to a report of a large deceased whale in the surf at 6 a.m.
Upon examination, officials identified it as a male Fin whale. The decomposing whale had a significant injury consistent with a ship strike and several large shark bites.
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Fin whales are an endangered species and the second largest species of whale, according to center officials. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center has responded to 33 Fin whales over the past 43 years.
Officials clarified that this was not the same whale that stranded in Delaware last Friday.
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The whale is scheduled to be buried on the beach Monday by the Barnegat Light public works department.
“We are reminding the public to please respect the safety perimeters put in place around the whale by the Barnegat Light Police Department, and do not attempt to touch the carcass,” officials said.
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