LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, N.J. – A recent post-mortem examination of a whale that washed ashore on Long Beach Island in New Jersey revealed troubling findings. The juvenile male humpback whale had sustained severe blunt force injuries, including a fractured skull and vertebrae. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center conducted a necropsy on the nearly 25-foot whale, uncovering bruising around the head, multiple skull and vertebrae fractures, dislocated ribs, and a dislocated shoulder bone.
Director Sheila Dean of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center highlighted that these injuries point to blunt force trauma, however, she refrained from attributing the cause to a specific source. Further testing and analysis are still pending, with tissue samples being sent to laboratories across the country.
Of particular interest is the cause of death of this whale, given the ongoing controversy surrounding offshore wind power. Opponents of offshore wind projects have raised concerns that site preparation activities could be causing harm to whales along the U.S. East Coast. Despite these claims, scientific agencies like NOAA, the Marine Mammal Commission, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection have stated that there is no direct evidence linking offshore wind development to whale deaths.
NOAA reported a total of 16 large whale deaths on the East Coast in 2024, with various species affected. The stranding center’s website noted that this incident marks New Jersey’s first whale death of the year, following 14 in 2023. Amidst these developments, Leading Light Wind, a proposed wind farm off the New Jersey coast, emphasized the importance of minimizing risks to wildlife and ensuring proactive engagement with marine stakeholders.
An important detail discovered during the post-mortem examination was the evidence of past entanglement with fishing gear on the whale. Although no fishing gear was present when the whale washed ashore, scars from a previous entanglement were visible around its tail area, highlighting ongoing concerns about the impact of human activities on marine life.
As investigations continue and stakeholders navigate the complexities of offshore wind development and wildlife conservation, the case of this whale serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between industrial progress and environmental stewardship. The findings from the necropsy underscore the importance of thorough research and collaborative efforts to protect marine ecosystems in the face of growing human activities in the ocean.