AMSEAS Responds to Humpback Whale in Westhampton Beach

Atlantic Marine Conservation Society “AMSEAS” received a report of a humpback whale floating approximately on mile offshore near Moriches Inlet on Friday, May 22, 2020. The whale was initially reported by the US Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound and a private vessel that called the NYS Stranding Hotline at 631.369.9829. AMSEAS went on the water with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to tow the whale near shore in expectation it would wash ashore near Cupsogue County Park. The response was scheduled to continue the next day.

On the morning of Saturday, May 23, the whale did make it to shore and the team returned to conduct the necropsy examination. The animal was a 32-foot male that was moderately decomposed. It was a robust animal with a full stomach, showing it had been eating. There was some evidence of previous entanglement, orca predation, and healed wounds on the fluke. At this time, a cause of death is inconclusive. Samples were taken and sent to a pathologist. Results may take several months to come back. Remains were buried on the beach.

During the necropsy examination, shorebird monitors were also onsite to ensure nesting birds, like the New York State endangered piping plovers, were not distrubed. AMSEAS is thankful to have had support from DEC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries), Suffolk County Parks, and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The public is encouraged to practice social distancing and report marine mammal and sea turtle strandings to the NYS Stranding Hotline at 631.369.9829. Sightings of marine wildlife are also helpful and can be shared with AMSEAS by emailing sightings@amseas.org.

News Coverage:
The Independent
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