30-Foot Humpback Whale Washes Up Dead At Smith Point County Park

SHIRLEY, NY — A dead 30-foot humpback whale has washed up on the beach at Smith Point County Park in Shirley, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Friday.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society was alerted early Friday morning, according to chief scientist Rob DiGiovanni, who headed down to the scene.

A state Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman said the agency is aware of the situation and is working with partners to respond.

AMSEAS, with the support of Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, is working with NOAA Fisheries, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation, and Suffolk County Parks "to secure the animal for a necropsy," a NOAA spokeswoman said in a statement to Patch.

"Information gathered through this examination will include measurements and photographs, along with biological samples collected to learn more about the whale’s physiology and document any factors that may have contributed to the animal’s death."

NOAA Fisheries has been investigating an unusual mortality event for humpback whales in the North Atlantic since 2016.

Data from the investigation can be found on NOAA's website and viewed in this interactive map.
AMSEAS and Mystic Aquarium are both federally-authorized marine mammal response organizations.

All dolphins, porpoises, and whales are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes touching, feeding, or otherwise harming these animals illegal. The best way to assist the animals, and keep them safe, is by calling trained responders and maintaining a 150-foot distance.

To report strandings of marine mammals and sea turtles in New York, call the state's Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at: 631-369-9829.

Sightings of healthy marine mammals and sea turtles can be reported at sightings@amseas.org.

This story will be updated. Check back later.