Local
Fin whale reported dead off Melbourne Beach: what beachgoers should know
The cause of death was unknown in Tuesday’s report. Here is what responders do and how to report a whale or dolphin that needs attention.
A dead fin whale was reported south of Melbourne Beach on Monday, September 28. In its Tuesday morning report, Florida Today said Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute had been unable to recover the carcass in heavy surf and had not seen it again that day. The report does not establish where the whale is now.
The cause of death remained unknown in that report. Research scientist Wendy Noke Durden told the newspaper that limited examination and sampling from a vessel had not revealed it. General threats to whales should not be treated as an explanation for this animal’s death.
What is a fin whale?
Fin whales are the world’s second-largest whale species, after blue whales. They usually live in deep offshore waters and are less common in the tropics. NOAA Fisheries lists them as endangered throughout their range. That background helps explain the interest in a local sighting, but it cannot determine this whale’s age or cause of death.
Report a sighting; leave the response to specialists
NOAA asks the public to report dead, stranded, injured or entangled marine animals so trained responders can assess what action is appropriate. Do not approach or attempt a rescue yourself. For a whale or dolphin in Florida, NOAA’s current directory lists FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Its Southeast marine mammal line is 877-WHALE-HELP (877-942-5343).
A report can matter even when an animal is dead. Hubbs-SeaWorld’s stranding program includes Brevard County; its team examines deceased animals and collects samples for research into population health, human impacts and disease. Reporting does not mean a carcass can safely be recovered, as the difficulties described in Monday’s response illustrate.
This account uses Florida Today’s September 29 reporting for the local incident and the organizations’ own pages for species, response and contact information. The Tuesday update is a dated account, not a current location notice or an invitation to look for the whale.