Marine authorities reported that a cruise ship arrived at a New York City port with a massive 44-foot dead whale positioned across its bow.
According to spokesperson Andrea Gomez from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries, a sei whale, which is classified as an endangered species, was discovered caught on the bow of a ship as it docked at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday.
According to a spokesperson from MSC Cruises, the whale was aboard the MSC Meraviglia, which made a stop in Brooklyn before continuing its journey to ports in New England and Canada.
“We have promptly informed the relevant authorities, who are currently conducting a thorough examination of the whale,” stated officials from the cruise line.
“We express our heartfelt sorrow over the loss of any marine life,” stated the officials. They emphasized that MSC Cruises, based in Geneva, strictly adheres to all regulations aimed at safeguarding whales. As part of their commitment, the cruise line modifies itineraries in specific regions to prevent any potential encounters with these majestic creatures.
According to Gomez, the team decided to move the deceased whale to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. They towed it to the shore in order to improve equipment accessibility and carry out a necropsy.
Sei whales, according to Gomez, are commonly sighted in the depths of the ocean, far away from the shores. These majestic creatures are known for their impressive size and are globally safeguarded.
According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, sei whales consume a staggering 2,000 pounds of fish and plankton every day. These magnificent creatures can reach an impressive length of 60 feet, weigh up to 50 tons, and have an average lifespan of 50-70 years.
The East Coast continues to witness the tragic loss of endangered whales, with yet another incident being reported. In a recent discovery, a North Atlantic right whale was found dead, adding to the growing list of casualties. Just last month, authorities confirmed that another right whale was killed in a collision with a ship, further highlighting the grave threat these magnificent creatures face.
In March, NOAA reported that the first North Atlantic right whale calf born this season had tragically passed away due to a collision with a vessel.
Environmental organizations are advocating for stricter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping in an effort to protect the whales.
In Massachusetts, a proposal has been made to implement speed limits on fast ferries to Cape Cod and the Islands in order to safeguard whales. The ferry companies argue that this measure would significantly impact their services and claim that their captains have never encountered a right whale while on duty.
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