INDIAN RIVER BAY, DEL. — A 30- to 40-foot humpback whale was discovered dead in shallow water off the coast of Indian River Bay on Monday morning, marking the latest in a string of whale fatalities in Delaware waters.
The U.S. Coast Guard alerted Delaware Natural Resources Police early Monday to the presence of the whale near the shoreline. Officials from the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute responded to the scene and confirmed the species identification.
Key Points
- A dead humpback whale was discovered Monday in shallow water in Indian River Bay.
- The animal measured 30 to 40 feet and was identified by the MERR Institute.
- NOAA is leading the investigation; the cause of death remains unknown.
“Sadly, another deceased whale has been reported in Delaware waters,” Delaware Natural Resources Police posted in a statement on social media.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which holds federal jurisdiction over the protection and recovery of marine mammals, has also been notified and is involved in the response.
Delaware Natural Resources Police and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) are securing the area and assisting with logistical support, though the federal agency remains the lead in the investigation.
The cause of death has not been released. Authorities have not confirmed whether a necropsy will be conducted or if this case is connected to prior strandings.
A 30-foot humpback whale found dead in Indian River Bay deepens Delaware’s marine mystery.