A Northeast Fisheries Science Center biologist collecting data during buoyless lobster trap tests.
2017–2024 Minke Whale Unusual Mortality Event along the Atlantic Coast
Since January 2017, elevated minke whale mortalities have occurred along the Atlantic coast from Maine through South Carolina.
Photo: Atlantic Marine Conservation Society
Since January 2017, elevated minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) mortalities have occurred along the Atlantic coast from Maine through South Carolina. A table of stranding numbers by state is below. While minke whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the species is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
This event has been declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME).
Learn more about Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events
Donate to the Unusual Mortality Event Contingency Fund
Minke Whale Strandings
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 38 |
| NH | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| MA | 8 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 57 |
| RI | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| CT | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NY | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 25 |
| NJ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| DE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VA | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
| NC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| SC | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 27 | 32 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 14 | 25 | 2 | 166 |
Full or partial necropsy examinations were conducted on more than 60% of the whales. Preliminary findings in several of the whales have shown evidence of human interactions or infectious diseases. These findings are not consistent across all of the whales examined, so more research is needed.
As part of the UME investigation process, NOAA is assembling an independent team of scientists to coordinate with the Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events to review the data collected, sample stranded whales, and determine the next steps for the investigation.
Report a Stranding
The most important step members of the public can take to assist investigators is to immediately report any sightings of injured or stranded whales (dead or alive). Make the report by calling the Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (866) 755-6622, the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (877) 433-8299. You can also contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. Do not approach or touch injured or dead marine mammals.
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A Northeast Fisheries Science Center biologist collecting data during buoyless lobster trap tests.
