TL/DR –
A cruise ship approaching New York was found to be carrying the corpse of a 44-foot-long endangered sei whale on its bow. The ship’s owner, MSC Cruises, stated that comprehensive measures are in place to avoid such collisions. Preliminary results from the necropsy seem to suggest the whale was healthy when it was likely struck and killed by the vessel, but the investigation is ongoing.
Endangered Whale Found Dead on Cruise Ship Bow
A cruise ship nearing New York’s Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on Saturday was found carrying the body of a 44-foot endangered sei whale on its bow. MSC Cruises, the ship’s owner, promptly notified the authorities.
The company has measures in place to prevent such incidents, including training deck officers and adjusting routes to avoid marine life. The company pledged to continue updating their procedures with partners and authorities.
The animal, weighing an estimated 50,000 pounds, was towed from the ship and transferred to Sandy Hook, NJ. The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society led the investigation and performed a necropsy, revealing broken bones and tissue trauma, likely caused by the ship collision.
The Society’s chief scientist, Robert A. DiGiovanni, clarified that the whale was in good health prior to the strike. Samples were taken quickly to test for potential contaminants and toxins. DiGiovanni’s group has responded to about 100 whale incidents over the years, most involving humpbacks and North Atlantic right whales.
Sei whales, known for their sleek, scarred bodies, often inhabit subtropical, temperate, and subpolar waters. Their population was significantly reduced due to commercial hunting for meat and oil in the 19th and 20th centuries. They’re now deemed depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The incident serves as a reminder of the need for increased awareness and caution among mariners sharing open water with marine life. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration encourages mariners to slow down, stay alert, and report sightings of dead, injured, or entangled whales.
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