The news of dead humpback whales washed ashore in New York and New Jersey is devastating. You’d think it’s a rare occurrence but every year humpback whales are discovered dead on the beaches in New York and New Jersey. In fact, an alarming number of humpback whales have been washed ashore in NY and NJ. Just in January alone, 6 humpback whales have been found in NY and NJ!
Humpback Whale in Lido Beach
A 41-foot humpback whale was the most recent casualty, and it was discovered on January 30, 2023, on Lido Beach in Long Island’s Nassau County. Sadly, this is the 6th humpback whale to have washed ashore in New York and New Jersey and the 8th humpback whale to have washed ashore on the East Coast this year!
How Many Whales Washed Ashore in New York?
In New York, so far, from 2016 to 2023, 36 humpback whales have washed ashore in New York. As you can see in the graph below, every year there has been at least one dead whale found in New York. Sadly, in 2020, nine humpback whales washed ashore in New York, which was the most ever recorded in one year! And in January alone, 2 humpback whales washed ashore in NY.
How Many Dead Humpback Whales Washed Up in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, so far, from 2016 to 2023, 24 dead humpback whales have washed ashore. As you can see in the graph below, with the exception of 2021, there has been at least one dead humpback whale in NJ. Just in January alone, 4 dead humpback whales have been found on NJ beaches.
Why Do Dead Whales Wash Ashore?
Why do dead whales wash ashore? The actual cause of death of these humpback whales is unknown. The most common likelihood cause of death for humpback whales washed ashore is injury or sickness. When scientists from NOAA Fisheries conducted examinations on some of the whales, they discovered that 40% of the humpback whales washed ashore had been injured by men, struck by ships, or entangled.
60 Humpback Whales Washed Ashore in NY and NJ
As seen in the graph below, from 2016 to 2023, a total of 60 humpback whales have been discovered on beaches in NY and NJ. A shocking 13 humpback whales washed ashore in NY and NJ in 2020!
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