Over the weekend, a cruise ship arrived at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal with a shocking and gruesome discovery. Mounted on its bow was the lifeless body of an endangered sei whale, weighing a staggering 50,000 pounds. This unfortunate incident highlights the ongoing issue of marine mammals falling victim to maritime traffic, with approximately 30 large whales found dead along the coasts of New York and New Jersey last year.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, responsible for marine conservation in the region, reported that most of the deceased whales exhibited signs of collision with boats. While the investigation into the cause of death for this particular sei whale is still ongoing, the risks posed by ship strikes to large whales in the area remain a significant concern.

After its arrival, the dead whale was transported from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to Sandy Hook, NJ, where officials from the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society conducted a necropsy. The examination revealed that the adult female whale had a full stomach and was in overall good health. However, it also uncovered an injured right shoulder blade and a fractured right flipper, likely resulting from a collision with a ship. Although the official cause of death has not been determined, preliminary evidence points towards a ship striking the whale.

MSC Cruises, the operator of the ship, spoke out on the incident, stating that the company has protocols in place to prevent collisions with whales. Deck officers receive training on protecting marine life, and itineraries are occasionally adjusted to avoid areas where whales have been spotted. MSC Cruises promptly notified the relevant authorities upon discovering the deceased whale on the ship's bow.

This tragic occurrence is not an isolated event. A decade ago, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship collided with a 45-foot female whale in the Hudson River. Shocking statistics reveal that an estimated 20,000 whales worldwide perish each year due to ship strikes. The bustling New York Harbor, one of the busiest ports in the Atlantic Ocean, plays host to nearly 7.5 million containers annually, further increasing the risk of encounters between ships and whales.

Approximately 40% of whale deaths on the East Coast are directly linked to human interactions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Since 2016, humpback whales along the Atlantic coast have been dying in increasing numbers, leading NOAA to describe it as an "unusual mortality event."

Research conducted by Danielle Brown, Director of Research at Gotham Whale, highlights that cruise ships are a common cause of whale mortality worldwide. These vessels navigate shipping channels used for transiting to and from ports in New York and New Jersey, where whales often feed.

In response to the concerning rise in harbor traffic endangering migrating whales, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-New Jersey) recently sent a letter to the Departments of Commerce, Transportation, and Homeland Security, urging the enforcement of ship speed restrictions for vessels longer than 65 feet in the New York and New Jersey ports. Thirteen other congress members joined Pallone in expressing their concerns.

Climate change has exacerbated the situation further. Although white-bellied sei whales typically reside far offshore and away from busy ports, the shifting climate has brought these magnificent creatures closer to shore. The changing water temperatures and currents adversely affect whale feeding behavior, stress levels, and reproduction.

Sei whales, classified as endangered due to historical whaling, have unknown population numbers. They typically thrive on a diet of plankton, small schooling fish, and cephalopods like squid. While they reside primarily in deep subtropical, temperate, and subpolar waters, they spend their summer months in the Gulf of Maine.

The incident involving the sei whale found on the cruise ship is currently under investigation by NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement. Authorities are urging mariners operating along the U.S. East Coast to reduce vessel speed, stay vigilant, and report any sightings of right whales or any instances of dead, injured, or entangled whales to protect these majestic creatures.

As the allure of maritime travel continues to attract a growing number of visitors, it becomes increasingly crucial to strike a balance between human activities and the preservation of our fragile marine ecosystems.