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A whale died Saturday afternoon after being struck by a boat in Barnegat Bay, Ocean County, New Jersey.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) was alerted by the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit around 2:45 p.m. about a whale spotted near the inlet. MMSC staff coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard and Sea Tow, while a stranding coordinator headed to the site.
Shortly before 3:30 p.m., a boater reported that their vessel had collided with the whale, nearly capsizing the boat and causing a passenger to be thrown overboard. The passenger managed to get back on board and is expected to be okay. Sea Tow, which stayed on the scene, confirmed the whale had died.
The whale was identified as a Minke whale about 20 feet long, resting on a very shallow sandbar near the channel. Due to tidal conditions, crews could approach within 30 yards but were unable to access the sandbar for a closer examination. Officials plan to tow the whale to Island Beach State Park for a necropsy, but the move will wait until Monday morning when conditions improve and heavy equipment is available. The necropsy is expected to take several hours.
Boaters are advised to stay at least 150 feet away from the whale carcass north of Double Creek Channel in Barnegat Bay for safety. Sightings can be reported to the MMSC hotline at (609) 266-0538.
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