Dead whale washes ashore at Smith Point County Park

Dead whale washes ashore at Smith Point County Park

Chopper 12 was over the scene at Smith Point County Park’s outer beach where a dead humpback whale washed ashore early Friday.
Officials say the whale was a male, believed to be around 5 years old.
Atlantic Marine Conservation Society Chief Scientist and Executive Director Rob DiGiovanni Jr. says the whale was over 35 feet long and looks to have been dead for a while.
He says this is the 13th deceased whale this year to wash up in the tri-state area.
“We are currently in the middle of an unusual mortality event for three species of large whales – the humpback whale, the right whale, as well as the minke whale,” DiGiovanni says.
A necropsy is being done to determine the cause of death.
DiGiovanni also says a special ceremony took place for the whale before the necropsy began.
“We work with the Shinnecock and the Unkachugs to conduct a ceremony to celebrate the spirit of the animal,” DiGiovanni says.
NOAA fisheries says necropsy reports can take several weeks to months to complete.