35-foot Humpback Whale Washes Up on Sandbar North of Brigantine

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Published: Friday, 13 January 2017 09:00

LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ -- Humpback whales off New Jersey’s coast, like the young male that washed up dead Friday on a Sea Isle City beach, were taken off the federal endangered species list this month because of rebounding numbers.

A 25-ton male humpback whale washed up dead on a sandbar off Long Beach Island, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said.

Bob Schoelkopf, the center’s director, said the cause of the 35-foot whale’s death has not been determined. Schoelkopf said there was no indication the whale was struck by a boat.

He said the center initially wanted to move the whale off the sandbar, which is near Holgate and about two miles north of Brigantine.

READ MORE: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/foot-humpback-whale-washes-up-on-sandbar-north-of-brigantine/article_875033c1-66a6-5b64-9112-b1caabc54c53.html

Rare whale found dead in Ocean County

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Published: Wednesday, 04 January 2017 09:00

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, NJ -- The body of a rare Blainville’s beaked whale was found near Island Beach State Park just south of Seaside Park in Berkeley Township, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said Wednesday.

It’s only the second time in more than four decades the center has come across a whale of this species, said founding Director Bob Schoelkopf.

For several days, the dead whale floated in the back bay behind Island Beach near wetlands, Schoelkopf said.

“Sunday we moved it over to Island Beach State Park,” he said. “It was in very difficult waters.”

READ MORE: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/rare-whale-washes-up-dead-on-ocean-county-beach/article_acd73f8a-d4bb-56d3-a41f-8c2b0a490d7b.html

Dolphin found dead off Sandy Hook; believed to have been trapped in river

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Published: Saturday, 31 December 2016 11:25

SANDY HOOK, NJ -- A bottlenose dolphin believed to be one stuck in the Shrewsbury River over the summer was found dead off Sandy Hook, marine wildlife rescuers said.

The dolphin, believed to be a pregnant female, was first spotted Friday at noon floating in Sandy Hook Bay about a mile from the entrance to Sandy Hook, said Bob Schoelkopf, executive director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.

There was no outward sign of what may have caused the dolphin's death, but a necropsy is scheduled for Tuesday after the state laboratory handling those procedures reopens from the holiday break, Schoelkopf said.

"We've been watching that animal for months and months," he said.

READ MORE: http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2016/12/dolphin_found_dead_off_sandy_hook_believed_to_have.html

Fernwood gives to Marine Mammal Stranding Center

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Published: Sunday, 11 December 2016 09:00

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ -- Fernwood Avenue Middle School Student Council representatives presented $500 to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine Tuesday, Nov. 29, a day recognized as Giving Tuesday.

Held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday was conceived to kick off the charitable season and encourage people to focus on holiday and end-of-year giving.

The Fernwood Student Council held at Teacher’s Pet of the Year contest to raise money for the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a nonprofit organization that rescues stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that have washed ashore in New Jersey.

READ MORE: http://www.shorenewstoday.com/egg_harbor_township/news/fernwood-gives-to-marine-mammal-stranding-center/article_ce165895-ecfe-564f-9eb8-4046538f7e10.html

Fire Departments Team Up To Help Marine Friends Catch a Flight

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Published: Monday, 31 October 2016 20:40

BRIGATINE, NJ -- It took two fire departments working together to get 3 sea turtles on their way to a new life.

The Brigantine Fire Department and the Atlantic City International Airport Fire Department worked together to bring the 3 huge loggerhead turtles to the airport and load them on a plane bound for North Carolina.

The turtles were rescued by Brigantine's Marine Mammal Stranding Center and are being sent to North Carolina for either further treatment or release.

One of the turtles weighs about 300 pounds, while the smallest of the turtles reportedly weighs in at 150 pounds.

READ MORE: http://www.snjtoday.com/story/33535687/fire-departments-team-up-to-help-marine-friends-catch-a-flight

Fishing lines threaten whales, but help is possible

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Published: Monday, 19 September 2016 18:42

SEA ISLE CITY, NJ -- Humpback whales off New Jersey’s coast, like the young male that washed up dead Friday on a Sea Isle City beach, were taken off the federal endangered species list this month because of rebounding numbers.

But many threats to the whales remain, including boat strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, habitat destruction and harassment by whale watchers, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

NOAA implements the evolving Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, to reduce the number of large whales harmed by fishing gear.

Staff members of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine conducted a necropsy of the juvenile humpback. They saw evidence that entanglement in commercial fishing gear weakened the animal and prevented it from feeding, said Executive Director Bob Schoelkopf.

READ MORE: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/fishing-lines-threaten-whales-but-help-is-possible/article_e451f766-7eb4-11e6-b617-df295e950a3e.html