A 61-foot pregnant endangered fin whale was discovered dead on the bow of the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship when it arrived in Seward, Alaska, on June 19. Officials with NOAA Fisheries Alaska believe the whale died as a result of a vessel strike. The whale was found in good nutritional condition, with abundant blubber and muscle, indicating it was freshly dead.
Preliminary findings from a necropsy performed on the whale revealed blunt force trauma to the jaw, spine, and ribs, which is consistent with a collision with a ship. The cruise ship, operated by Royal Caribbean Group, can accommodate over 4,000 passengers and is a 14-deck vessel.
Royal Caribbean Group issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident and emphasizing their commitment to marine life. The company stated they are cooperating fully with NOAA and will partner with the agency following the investigation's conclusion. "Our respect for the ocean is at the core of everything we do," a spokesperson said.
A law enforcement investigation into the matter is currently ongoing. NOAA Fisheries Alaska thanked partners, local volunteers, and the community for their support during the response effort.
The deceased whale is slated to be towed out to sea, where it will sink and serve as a food source for deep-sea marine life. Fin whales have been classified as an endangered species since 1970, largely due to decimation from commercial whaling in the 1800s and 1900s. The species is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Under this act, killing a protected whale through a vessel strike is considered a "take," a legal term that encompasses harassing, hunting, capturing, or killing a marine mammal. Enforcement actions for such incidents depend on the specific circumstances and the findings of NOAA's investigation.