Mystery of the Whales: Investigating the Unusual Deaths off the Coast of New Jersey

Whale feeding just south of the Manasquan Inlet Photo Taken by Tom Miller

An alarming pattern of whale deaths off the coast of New Jersey has emerged in recent months. The local whale population is of concern to scientists and environmentalists who are trying to determine the source of these deaths.

At least ten dead whales have been found on state beaches since July 2020, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Considering that the annual average number of whale deaths before to this one was roughly three, this is a considerable increase.

All of the beached whales are humpbacks, which are known to pass through the waters off the New Jersey coast on their annual migration. The Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act both provide legal protections for humpback whales.

Researchers are still digging for answers as to what precipitated these deaths. Disease, pollution, and human interference (ship hits, entanglements in fishing gear) are also possible causes. Still, more necropsies are required because the cause of death for several of these whales has not been established.

Tragically, the demise of these magnificent animals highlights the need to better conserve marine ecosystems. The rising number of whale deaths is an issue for the local ecology as a whole, not just the whales themselves. Killing whales could have far-reaching consequences because of the crucial role they play in the marine food web.

We need to keep an eye on developments and investigate more to determine what's causing these deaths. necropsies and sample collection are currently being performed on the whales by the NOAA and other groups to better understand the problem.

We, too, must do our part to safeguard both these lovely animals and their natural habitat. This includes measures to curb pollution and prevent overfishing. Taking measures to safeguard marine life and their habitat is also essential. All of us should do everything we can to keep the oceans safe for the animals who live there.

What killed these whales off the shore of New Jersey remains a mystery, but it serves as a sobering reminder of the need to safeguard the waters and the creatures who depend on them. To prevent these kinds of tragedies from becoming routine in the future, we need to take decisive action now to determine what's causing them and then collaborate to find a solution.