MANASQUAN – The Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering helped remove the whale that recently washed ashore in Manasquan Monday morning.
Public Works assisted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Borough of Manasquan.
“On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, I would like to commend our Public Works employees along with our federal, state and local partners including the Boroughs of Sea Girt and Spring Lake, who assisted in this removal operation,” Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said. “Group efforts like this are examples of the County’s commitment to our partners and residents.”
The whale was reported to the MMSC where necropsy teams were on scene to gather information. The whale was later moved to a County facility for examination and tissue sampling.
Necropsy teams will have access to heavy equipment and resources that will enable a complete examination, according to NOAA Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office. The whale has been identified as a juvenile female, about 35 feet long.
If you come across a marine mammal in distress, please contact the Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 866-755-6622.
