Propeller Wounds Likely Killed Whale Off Long Branch: Necropsy

LONG BRANCH, NJ — A whale found floating off the coast of Elberon likely died because of collisions with boats and propeller wounds, according to officials. The North Atlantic Right whale was a calf, making its death death particularly detrimental to the endangered species, said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Officials received a report of the floating dead whale last Thursday. Necropsy results revealed evidence of collisions with at least two separate boats, the NOAA says. The male whale had several propeller wounds across the head and chest and a likely skeg or rudder injury on the back that may have occurred at the same time, according to officials.

The second vessel collision resulted in a series of propeller wounds and a skeg or rudder wound across the tail stock. Evaluation suggests that the whale suffered these wounds shortly before his death.

"The loss of every right whale is a detriment to this critically endangered species, but it is particularly hard when we lose a calf, given how few have been born in the last several years," said Kim Damon-Randall, the deputy regional administration for NOAA Fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region.

NOAA Fisheries has been looking into the issue of boat strikes. The organization completed an assessment of the right whale vessel speed rule and will soon release a detailed report. NOAA Fisheries is also exploring ways technology could alert boat operators of right whales in the area.

Fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales remain.

Collisions with ships are one of the leading causes of death for right whales, according to Oceana, an organization focused on protecting oceans. Right whales only swim around 6 mph, usually near the water's surface. Plus their dark color and lack of a dorsal fin makes them difficult to spot, according to Oceana.

"It’s time for immediate action to protect these whales," said Oceana Director Whitney Webber. "NOAA should expand mandatory speed restriction zones and require ships to slow down when whales are present. The future of this species depends on what we do now, and this calf’s death should be a wakeup call that change needs to happen now.”

NOAA Fisheries says the whale was 6 months old. He was the first of 10 reported calves sighted during the 2019-20 season, first spotted off the coast of Georgia in December.

His mother is 15 years old, and he was her first calf. The mother's condition is unknown.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Long Branch-Eatontown Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.