In a shocking incident that has sparked a federal investigation, a cruise ship sailed into New York Harbor with a 44-foot-long dead sei whale pinned to its bow. The MSC Meraviglia, a Geneva-based cruise line, was returning from a Bermuda cruise when it docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal with the deceased marine mammal attached to its front.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Law Enforcement is currently investigating the incident. The sei whale, an endangered species, was discovered on the ship's bow upon its arrival at the Port of Brooklyn, according to Andrea Gomez, a spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries.
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, a nonprofit organization, conducted a necropsy on the mature female whale. The examination revealed tissue trauma in the area of the whale's right shoulder blade and a fractured right flipper. The whale's gastrointestinal tract was also found to be "full of food." Further toxicology reviews and analyses are underway to identify any potential tissue diseases.
These creatures are typically found in deeper waters far from the coastline and are internationally protected. According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, sei whales consume up to 2,000 pounds of fish and plankton daily and can live between 50-70 years.
This event marks the latest in a series of endangered whale deaths along the East Coast. Last month, a North Atlantic right whale was found dead off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia, after a collision with a ship. In March, the first North Atlantic right whale calf of the season was reported dead after being hit by a vessel.
Environmental groups have been advocating for stricter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping to protect these marine giants. Proposals include implementing speed limits on fast ferries to Cape Cod and the Islands to safeguard whales.
The MSC Cruises spokesperson expressed deep regret over the incident, stating, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life." The cruise line emphasized its commitment to following all regulations designed to protect whales, including altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid hitting the animals.
The dead whale was removed from the cruise ship and towed to shore in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, for further examination. The results of the necropsy and subsequent investigations will help determine whether the whale was already dead when it was struck by the ship.
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