A cruise ship arriving at a New York City port on Saturday brought an unexpected and sobering sight: the carcass of an endangered sei whale measuring over 13 meters long lodged on its bow.
The whale, already deceased, was identified by marine authorities as a mature sei whale, a species known for its swift swimming and found in various waters around the world, including subtropical, temperate, and subpolar regions.
The vessel involved, the MSC Meraviglia cruise ship owned by MSC Cruises, notified relevant authorities immediately upon the discovery of the whale. An MSC Cruises spokesperson expressed deep sadness over the loss of marine life.
After the ship docked at the Port of Brooklyn, the whale’s carcass was transported to a beach in Sandy Hook, N.J., where a necropsy (animal autopsy) was conducted by the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society.
The necropsy revealed signs of tissue trauma and a fractured right flipper along with a blood-filled gastrointestinal tract. While it is too early to determine if the whale was struck by the cruise ship before or after its death, experts speculate that the vessel likely caused its demise, given its full stomach indicating good health.
The necropsy, which spanned four days, aimed to gather further information about the whale’s toxicology and life history. The examination took place in New Jersey to utilize the necessary heavy equipment and resources.
The MSC Meraviglia cruise ship continued its journey to ports in New England and Halifax, Nova Scotia, after docking in Brooklyn. MSC Cruises stated its compliance with international regulations to safeguard whales, including adjusting cruise schedules to avoid regions where marine life may be at risk. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is investigating the incident.
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society emphasized the protection of sei whales and all marine mammals, urging the public to maintain a safe distance from these animals and report any sightings to trained responders.
Sei whales, considered an endangered species, face threats primarily due to historical commercial whaling. With an estimated global population of 57,000 to 65,000 individuals, sei whales typically inhabit deep waters far from coastlines and have a life expectancy of around 70 years.