November 4, 2019 — Around 3 p.m. on September 16, 2019, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) received a call about a very decomposed whale carcass. It was floating about 4 miles south of Fire Island Inlet of Long Island, New York. Dead whales floating in the waters off Long Island have been a fairly common occurrence over the last few years, mostly humpback and minke whales. When AMSEAS reported the call to us at NOAA Fisheries, we were prepared to assist with what has now sadly become somewhat routine response planning.
Day 1: Mobilizing the Response
Response planning involves a series of coordination calls. We need to:
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Make arrangements to tow the carcass to a beach (usually public but not crowded).
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Arrange heavy equipment (front loaders, backhoes) to help position the carcass.
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Secure the carcass from tides and possible souvenir hunters.
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Assemble a team to take measurements and samples (necropsy team).
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Handle media and bystander inquiries.
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Plan for the disposal of the carcass—usually deep beach burial, but sometimes other options are considered.