Minke Whale Dies After Boat Collision Off New Jersey Coast

Writing Time: August 04, 2025, 13:00 (U.S. Eastern Time)

A minke whale died over the weekend following a collision with a small recreational boat off the coast of New Jersey. The incident occurred in Barnegat Bay and was captured on video, raising concerns about increasing whale-boat encounters in coastal waters.

The animal was later found deceased on a sandbar, and marine wildlife officials have launched an investigation into the cause of death.

Whale-Boat Collision Caught on Camera in Barnegat Bay

The accident happened Saturday afternoon when a 20-foot (6-meter) minke whale surfaced near a small motorboat, resulting in a dramatic impact that rocked the vessel and ejected one passenger into the water. The scene was captured on video and later shared on social media platforms, showing the whale breaching and splashing before it swam away.

The boat, though visibly shaken by the impact, remained afloat. The individual thrown overboard was able to remain above water until they were safely pulled back onto the vessel. No human injuries were reported at the time of the incident.

Dead Whale Found on Sandbar Following Incident

Later that day, the same whale was discovered dead on a nearby sandbar in shallow water. Officials from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), a nonprofit organization that specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals, responded to the scene but were unable to get close to the animal due to low tide conditions.

“At this point, we really don’t have much to go on,” said Jay Pagel, stranding coordinator at MMSC, in a public statement on Sunday. “The side of the animal that we were able to observe had no obvious marks on it that we could see. But again, our visibility was very limited.”

Pagel also noted that additional footage shared online appeared to show the same whale making contact with another vessel—a pontoon boat—after the initial collision.

Investigators Plan Necropsy to Determine Cause of Death

Marine authorities have scheduled a necropsy for Monday morning at a New Jersey state park, where the whale’s body will be towed for examination. The necropsy will aim to determine whether the whale suffered fatal injuries from the collision or if it had been injured prior to the incident.

The investigation will also seek to confirm whether multiple boat contacts contributed to the whale’s death. As of now, there is no confirmation whether the whale was already compromised before the accident.

Minke Whales: Fast Swimmers at Risk Near Coastal Traffic

Minke whales, the smallest of the great whale species, are commonly found in the Atlantic Ocean and can reach lengths of 20 to 30 feet. Although they are agile swimmers, their tendency to feed near the surface in shallow coastal waters makes them vulnerable to boat strikes.

Whale collisions are an increasing concern in areas with high recreational boating activity. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), vessel strikes are one of the leading causes of death among large whales in U.S. waters.

Barnegat Bay, a popular destination for fishing, boating, and jet skiing, sees elevated marine traffic during summer months, increasing the likelihood of such incidents.

Growing Number of Whale Deaths Raises Alarm Among Conservationists

This incident adds to a series of whale strandings and deaths along the U.S. East Coast in recent years. NOAA has previously declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) for several whale species, including humpback and minke whales, due to a rise in unexplained strandings.

While the cause of each stranding can vary—ranging from ship strikes to disease and entanglement in fishing gear—the overlap between human activity and whale habitats remains a point of concern for conservation groups.

MMSC and other organizations continue to monitor marine mammal activity along the East Coast and encourage boaters to follow speed restrictions and remain alert when navigating in areas known for whale activity.

Marine Experts Urge Caution for Boaters and Coastal Communities

In light of the weekend’s incident, marine biologists and environmental advocates are urging the public to take extra caution in whale-prone waters. The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassment or disturbance of marine mammals, and vessel operators are encouraged to maintain safe distances from whales when encountered.

Boaters can also reduce the risk of collisions by:

• Slowing down in known whale habitats
• Keeping a lookout for whale spouts or surface activity
• Reporting sightings to local marine wildlife hotlines

“We share the ocean with these creatures,” Pagel emphasized. “It’s our responsibility to do what we can to avoid harm.”

Conclusion

The death of the minke whale in Barnegat Bay serves as a sobering reminder of the risks marine animals face in increasingly busy coastal waters. As investigations continue, marine authorities hope the findings will help inform better boating practices and support conservation efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable marine species.