A Tragic Encounter at Sea
As the cruise ship made its way into the bustling New York City port, a somber sight greeted onlookers - a majestic 44-foot whale sprawled lifeless across its bow, marine authorities revealed.
The deceased whale, identified as an endangered sei whale, was discovered entangled on the ship's bow upon its arrival at the Port of Brooklyn over the weekend, as confirmed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez.
MSC Cruises, the operator of the vessel named MSC Meraviglia, confirmed the distressing incident. The ship had docked at Brooklyn before embarking on a journey to various ports in New England and Canada.
"Upon spotting the whale, we promptly informed the relevant authorities, who are now in the process of examining the situation," stated officials from the cruise line.
Expressing deep regret over the loss of marine life, the officials emphasized that MSC Cruises, headquartered in Geneva, strictly adheres to regulations aimed at safeguarding whales, including making itinerary adjustments in specific regions to steer clear of collisions with these magnificent creatures.
Following the distressing encounter, the deceased whale was carefully relocated to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, where it was towed to shore for a thorough examination. This relocation facilitated better access to equipment and enabled experts to conduct a necropsy, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the whale's untimely demise, as confirmed by Gomez.
The examination, known as a necropsy, was carried out on Tuesday, as stated by Gomez. Samples obtained from the whale will assist biologists in determining if it was already deceased when it was hit by the ship.
Sei whales are commonly sighted in deep waters far from the shore, Gomez mentioned. They are among the largest whale species and are protected internationally.
As per the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, sei whales consume 2,000 pounds of fish and plankton daily. They can reach lengths of up to 60 feet, weigh as much as 50 tons, and have an average lifespan of 50-70 years.
This incident represents the most recent endangered whale discovered deceased along the East Coast. Last month, federal authorities disclosed that a North Atlantic right whale found floating 50 miles offshore east of Virginia Beach, Virginia, had perished in a collision with a ship.
In March, NOAA reported that the first North Atlantic right whale calf born this season had passed away after being struck by a vessel.
Various environmental organizations have urged for stricter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping to help preserve the whale population.
There is a proposition in Massachusetts to impose speed restrictions on fast ferries heading to Cape Cod and the Islands to safeguard whales. However, ferry companies argue that this would significantly reduce their services, stating that their captains have never encountered a right whale while on duty.
