First Whale Stranded of 2026 Washes Ashore at the Jersey Shore in Ocean County

The first whale stranding of 2026 has been reported along the Jersey Shore.

Get our free mobile app

A young male fin whale washed ashore in Barnegat Light, LBI on Friday, February 20th, 2026.

Young Fin Whale Washes Ashore in Barnegat Light

Experts from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, working alongside specialists from Cornell University, performed a necropsy to determine what may have led to the animal’s death.

Preliminary Findings Suggest Possible Vessel Strike

The whale was identified as a juvenile male measuring just over 51 feet in length and weighing an estimated 25 tons. According to the preliminary findings, the animal showed significant blunt force trauma along the left side of its body. The injuries are consistent with a possible vessel strike, meaning the whale may have been hit by a large boat or ship.

Samples Collected for Further Testing

Investigators also noted scarring near the base of the tail that suggests the whale had previously been entangled, likely in fishing gear or rope. It is not yet known whether that earlier entanglement played a role in the whale’s death.

After the examination was completed, the whale was buried on the beach.

Several biological samples were collected during the necropsy and will undergo further laboratory testing. These additional studies will help scientists determine whether the vessel strike happened before the whale died or after it was already deceased.

Keep Reading: Everything You Need to Know About Trader Joe's Chicken Fried Rice Recall

Officials say the investigation is ongoing as researchers work to better understand the circumstances surrounding the first whale to wash up at the Jersey Shore in 2026.