Humpback whale spotted in N.J. river
A humpback whale was spotted in a Jersey Shore river on Friday morning, authorities said.
(U.S. Coast Guard file photo.)
A humpback whale was spotted in a Jersey Shore river on Friday morning, authorities said.
New Jersey state troopers with the Marine Services Bureau responded to the Route 36 bridge over the Shrewsbury River in northern Monmouth County on a report of a humpback whale in the waterway.
Another police vessel arrived with a member of the Brigantine-based Marine Mammal Stranding Center to assess the whale’s condition.
Authorities say that preliminarily, the whale appears to be healthy and feeding, and they are advising boaters to avoid the area.
“Additional boat traffic may scare the whale and prevent it from leaving the river and/or negatively impact its health,” a New Jersey State Police release said.
The Shrewsbury River is accessible to the Atlantic Ocean through the Sandy Hook Bay.
Officials ask the public to report sightings of entangled marine mammals and sea turtles to the NOAA hotline at (866) 755-6622.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by Down the Shore
Island Beach State Park receives 2,000 Christmas trees: Here’s how it helps the dunes
While their season is now over, Christmas trees will have a second life by helping build up dunes in Ocean County's Island Beach State Park.
5 years ago
Get your poles and tackle ready. New Jersey’s fall trout season kicked off Tuesday.
5 years ago
Study: Staring at seagulls could prevent them from snatching your food
The result? The gulls, on average, took 21 seconds longer to approach the food when being stared at, according to the study.
5 years ago
