In the past, the thriving whaling industry in the northeastern United States relied on intrepid fishermen to harpoon whales and bring them back to shore, as immortalized in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Whale oil was highly valued, illuminating the nights of American colonists. However, the sight of dead whales on today’s shores paints a different picture, one that evokes a mix of confusion, foreboding, and awe.
Scientists are still searching for a definitive answer behind the rise in dead whales, particularly humpback whales, being found along the coast. Since 2016, over 30 humpback whale deaths have been recorded in Virginia, with similar numbers reported in North Carolina. Some speculate that the offshore wind industry may be responsible. Acoustic surveying, used to map underwater areas for future wind turbine installations, could potentially harm whales’ hearing and communication abilities. However, no conclusive evidence links offshore wind surveying to whale fatalities.
According to the current scientific consensus, a more likely explanation is the combination of increased whale activity, potentially due to cleaner water and successful environmental protection policies, and increased human activity, such as shipping and fishing. As whale populations grow and human activities in coastal waters intensify, the chances of collisions or entanglement increase.
While we await definitive answers, the images of these majestic Cetaceans, even in death, continue to inspire awe and wonder.
– A 25-foot juvenile humpback whale washed ashore on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, in April 2024. It had sustained numerous blunt force injuries, including a fractured skull, likely caused by a collision with a ship or fishing vessel.
– In March 2023, a large humpback whale washed ashore in Seaside Park, New Jersey. Autopsies are typically conducted on beached whales, and if the whale is still alive, it is euthanized. After examination, whales are usually buried on the beach, requiring heavy construction equipment due to their massive size.
– A dead humpback whale was found in Brigantine, New Jersey, in January 2023. Humpback whales have unique ventral pleats or grooves that run along the underside of their bodies, from their chin to their belly button. These grooves allow their throats to expand significantly during feeding, enabling them to engulf large volumes of water and prey, such as small fish or krill.
– Onlookers gathered to observe a massive humpback whale in Lido Beach, New York, in January 2023. Despite unfounded claims linking offshore wind to whale deaths, these majestic creatures are undoubtedly vulnerable to threats such as ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear.
– Humpback whales are among the largest mammals on Earth, with adults ranging from 40 to 52 feet in length, and some individuals reaching up to 60 feet. Their iconic long pectoral fins, which can span up to one-third of their body length, add to their majestic presence. Known for their acrobatic displays, they breach and slap their tails on the water’s surface, captivating onlookers with their awe-inspiring size and grace.
