NEW DELHI: An endangered whale measuring 44 feet in length died after likely being struck by a 19-deck cruise ship into the East River at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday morning, and it is impossible to determine how long the deceased mammal was dragged by the boat before it was found, as per marine experts.
According to New York Post report, the adult female Sei whale was found as the MSC Meraviglia docked at the Port, a spokesperson for MSC cruises confirmed.The colossal Meraviglia, a vessel that came to the aid of 24 Cuban migrants in distress off the Florida coast last year, boasts an impressive gross tonnage of 171,600 and stands at a towering height of 214 feet.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said, the endangered whale was removed from the ship and transported to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, for a necropsy on Tuesday ,stating that it is too early to determine if the whale was already dead before the impact.
The founder and chief scientist of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Rob DiGiovanni said that it was more than likely that the “interaction with the vessel contributed to her death.”
“It looks like she was eating,” DiGiovanni added, indicating she was a healthy whale with relatively fresh food in her stomach, the New York Post reported.
The exact time and location of the whale’s collision remain unknown, however, according to NOAA, Sei whales are typically found in deeper waters, far from the shore.
DiGiovanni revealed that the whale’s body was “pretty decomposed,” making it difficult for experts to determine the precise time of its death. The decomposition process of a whale carcass can be accelerated by several days when the water temperature is higher than usual.
According to DiGiovanni, the occurrence of whales being struck by ships is not uncommon, but it is difficult to determine the frequency of such incidents because the whales may sink to the ocean floor after being hit. The size of cruise vessels can make it challenging for staff or guests to notice when a whale has been struck, making even the world’s largest mammal look like an ant.
These ship strikes may be contributing to the unusual mortality event in the New York Bight Apex, which encompasses the waters from Fire Island to the Manasquan Inlet in New Jersey.
Since 2016, the number of humpback, Mackey, and North Atlantic Right whale deaths has increased from one to three per year to 12 to 14 per year, DiGiovanni added.
The surge in whale deaths is an unfortunate consequence of the increasing number of whales visiting the waters near New York City each year. While some whales remain in the area year-round, the population in the East River increases during the spring months.
DiGiovanni urges boaters to exercise caution in the waters, stating, “We start to see increases in whale sightings now, so we urge boaters to use caution in the waters.” He encourages ship captains to to consider the “Slow: Children at Play” mentality when navigating the open seas.
NOAA said, “Mariners operating along the US East Coast are encouraged to slow their vessel speed, stay alert, and report any sightings of right whales or any dead, injured, or entangled whales.”
Sei whales are among the largest whale species and are protected internationally, with vessel strikes being one of the most significant threats to their declining population.
According to New York Post report, the adult female Sei whale was found as the MSC Meraviglia docked at the Port, a spokesperson for MSC cruises confirmed.The colossal Meraviglia, a vessel that came to the aid of 24 Cuban migrants in distress off the Florida coast last year, boasts an impressive gross tonnage of 171,600 and stands at a towering height of 214 feet.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said, the endangered whale was removed from the ship and transported to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, for a necropsy on Tuesday ,stating that it is too early to determine if the whale was already dead before the impact.
The founder and chief scientist of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Rob DiGiovanni said that it was more than likely that the “interaction with the vessel contributed to her death.”
“It looks like she was eating,” DiGiovanni added, indicating she was a healthy whale with relatively fresh food in her stomach, the New York Post reported.
The exact time and location of the whale’s collision remain unknown, however, according to NOAA, Sei whales are typically found in deeper waters, far from the shore.
DiGiovanni revealed that the whale’s body was “pretty decomposed,” making it difficult for experts to determine the precise time of its death. The decomposition process of a whale carcass can be accelerated by several days when the water temperature is higher than usual.
According to DiGiovanni, the occurrence of whales being struck by ships is not uncommon, but it is difficult to determine the frequency of such incidents because the whales may sink to the ocean floor after being hit. The size of cruise vessels can make it challenging for staff or guests to notice when a whale has been struck, making even the world’s largest mammal look like an ant.
These ship strikes may be contributing to the unusual mortality event in the New York Bight Apex, which encompasses the waters from Fire Island to the Manasquan Inlet in New Jersey.
Since 2016, the number of humpback, Mackey, and North Atlantic Right whale deaths has increased from one to three per year to 12 to 14 per year, DiGiovanni added.
The surge in whale deaths is an unfortunate consequence of the increasing number of whales visiting the waters near New York City each year. While some whales remain in the area year-round, the population in the East River increases during the spring months.
DiGiovanni urges boaters to exercise caution in the waters, stating, “We start to see increases in whale sightings now, so we urge boaters to use caution in the waters.” He encourages ship captains to to consider the “Slow: Children at Play” mentality when navigating the open seas.
NOAA said, “Mariners operating along the US East Coast are encouraged to slow their vessel speed, stay alert, and report any sightings of right whales or any dead, injured, or entangled whales.”
Sei whales are among the largest whale species and are protected internationally, with vessel strikes being one of the most significant threats to their declining population.
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