Collision between whale and small boat results in whale's demise, narrowly avoiding boat capsizing
Minke Whale Dies Off New Jersey Shore After Collision with Small Boat
A minke whale has tragically died off the New Jersey shore following a collision with a small boat. The 26-foot female whale, approximately 6 meters in length, was found in distress in Barnegat Bay on Saturday afternoon.
The collision was significant enough to nearly capsize the vessel and throw a passenger overboard. Despite rescue attempts by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and other agencies, the whale died before help could stabilise it.
Preliminary findings from a necropsy suggest that the whale was in an overall thin body condition, which likely contributed to its distress and inability to recover after the collision. No obvious marks were observed on the visible side of the whale, but a video obtained before the incident showed the whale with injuries.
Sadly, the whale came to rest on a sandbar in shallow water after its death. Marine authorities were unable to get close to the whale due to tidal conditions, and a second video shows the whale making contact with a pontoon boat after the initial collision.
The necropsy will determine the exact cause of the minke whale's death, but it is believed that the combined factors of its compromised health condition and the physical trauma from striking the boat were the main causes of its demise.
The whale will be towed to a state park on Monday morning for a full necropsy to be performed. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center remains involved in the incident, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic event. It serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and marine life, and the importance of coexistence and care for our oceans and the creatures that inhabit them.
[1] New Jersey Herald, Minke whale dies after collision with small boat off New Jersey shore, 2022. [2] Asbury Park Press, Minke whale dies after collision with small boat off New Jersey shore, 2022.
[1] To better understand the causes of the Minke whale's tragic death, scientists may conduct further research into the intersection of environmental-science factors, such as the whale's health-and-wellness state and the effects of human activities like boat collisions, and the impact on marine life.
[2] As part of the commitment to the health of our oceans and the well-being of marine creatures, the scientific community could explore innovative practices in health-and-wellness, environmental-science, and technology, such as using CBD as a potential, non-invasive, and eco-friendly method to aid injured marine mammals and reduce the risk of future accidents that may threaten their livelihoods.
