Community
Deceased whale on Block Island, RI part of unusual mortality event affecting the U.S. East Coast
Mystic, CT – Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program received a hotline report on June 24 about a 49-foot deceased female humpback whale on Block Island. The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) identified her as Binary, a 37-year-old whale. The cause of her death is still under investigation.
Binary was first documented by CCS in the late 1980s and has had nine known calves. She was regularly seen in the Gulf of Maine and the West Indies. Her last recorded sighting was in 2022.
Binary’s death is part of an unusual mortality event affecting the U.S. East Coast since 2016. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines an unusual mortality event (UME) as “a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response.” Of more than 200 whales included in this UME, about half underwent partial or full necropsy examinations. Out of the roughly 90 whales examined, about 40% showed signs of human interaction, such as ship strikes or entanglement.
We are saddened by each case but grateful for the opportunity to learn more,” said Sarah Callan, the Animal Rescue Program manager. “The ocean environment is changing at an alarming rate. The data we collect from each case is vital in helping us understand more about the health of humpback whales and the ongoing UME.” Whale deaths along the U.S. East Coast are investigated by NOAA and other partners.
Mystic Aquarium staff conducted an external exam and collected tissue samples from Binary. Due to the remote location, a complete necropsy wasn’t possible. Mystic Aquarium has been working with state and community partners on logistics for carcass removal options, but the whale will remain on the beach due to the many challenges posed by the location.
“We remind the public that humpback whales are federally protected. It is illegal to touch or take any part of a deceased whale,” said Callan. “There is also a risk of zoonotic disease transmission, so please keep pets and people at a distance. We appreciate the public’s respect in letting Binary rest peacefully.”
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Joe Apanowitch
July 15, 2024 at 9:24 pm
Can we put offshore wind to rest peacefully too? This is getting out of hand and you all need to be honest about how bad it is. It’s summer and we get live updates on all these dead whales on the daily that always follow the projects. People can read the outline of why this is happening by reading BOEM Environmental Impact Statements For Offshore Wind projects, and see that NOAA (Department of Commerce) have harassment permits to kill mass amounts of whaled “incidentally” (more right whales authorized than even are known to exist to be taken). Go deeper into the subject, the rest of society is way ahead on the offshore wind scam via trash teching the sea (subsidize risk to taxpayers privatize the profits). sad piece, so incomplete on the rest of the green guise
Brian Schrauf
July 16, 2024 at 9:36 pm
I lived on Block Island for over 50 years and we had whales and sea turtles washing up for years way before any wind projects existed. One time 60 pilot whales, mothers with their calves, were beaching at cow cove and two friends fishing with waders on were able to turn them and got them back out to sea. In total 5 whales died that day but could have been much worse if these two men were not there.
Booyah
July 16, 2024 at 4:42 pm
What if it’s global warming causing stress/death to marine life? If it turns out that’s the cause, will you be calling for an end to fossil fuel use? Cause these whales have been dying since 2016, long before local wind project construction began.
Jm
July 16, 2024 at 8:46 pm
You are incorrect. Offshore wind started April 2015 off Block Island. It most certainly is causing all these deaths. It is being covered up by the industry, but the only proof I need is their permit received for incidental take, otherwise known as being as the government giving them permission to kill whales… Common sense goes a long way when scientists and government are paid off…
Eric Picard
July 18, 2024 at 8:12 am
I feel like Offshore Wind opponents are the new anti-vaxxers.
Nancy Ingram
July 18, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Anti vaxers? Try non-believers. Open your eyes and your ears! Over 200 whales and ? Dolphin or other mammal species have died this year alone. Several associations have documented and attributed these deaths to the off shore wind farms due to its constant pounding, drilling and sonar testing. The contract for this project contains an “anti harassment clause with a kill limit” inserted in it to specifically cover the demise of marine mammals because they are aware of the degradation it will cause to the surrounding marine life. Follow the path and progression of the wind farm construction and pay attention to the whale deaths and the area landings of such. We “antivaxers” aren’t against wind farms. We are against building wind farms in our open waters and feel that there were not enough studies conducted by our government prior to the approval and installation of a project of this magnitude. The malfunction in Nantucket waters was a perfect example of the possible and probable issues that could and will arise in the future. I bet they are wondering if the ocean is the right place to construct these towers after cleaning up the mess it caused this week. Let’s hope this repair will be a “one in a million” event. For the longest time we have used our open waters as a dumping facility. Whenever we wanted something removed in or from the water, we just let it sink to the bottom with the excuse that it would become an ecological feeding ground in time, despite its painted surface or corrosive metal. Now It’s become the “New frontier” and we are still abusing it with noise and neglect of it’s inhabitants. There is life in our waters. It’s time for us to respect that, not abuse it.
Arden
July 22, 2024 at 9:35 pm
I hear if you’ve had 6 boosters you’ll go along with what ever your government tells you.
Jackson doff
July 23, 2024 at 3:13 pm
200 whales since 2016 is what the article states. Not 200 this year. And that’s all along the eastern coast. Florida to Canada. So roughly 25 whales a year die, doesn’t seem like an alarming number. 61 million people died in 2023 per ourworlddata.org.