Humpback whale that washed ashore in Sea Isle City died due to human interaction
Officials believe a young whale that washed ashore in Sea Isle City last Friday afternoon died due to human interaction.
According to Bob Schoelkopf of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, a necropsy performed on the beach revealed that the 33-foot, 20 ton whale had scaring on its body, indicating previous entanglement in a commercial fishing line that possibly prevented it from eating sufficient food.
The whale, which was emaciated, was also struck by a vessel likely after it had died, he added.
According to the Press of Atlantic City, the whale was spotted to the north off Strathmere earlier Friday before floating ashore in Sea Isle City.
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