Humpback Whale Dead Before Cruise Ship Hit It

The humpback whale found last Wednesday on the bow of the Sapphire Princess was likely dead before the cruise ship hit it, according to a statement released by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.

Princess Cruises notified the Coast Guard and NOAA Fisheries of the incident, which likely occurred overnight while the vessel was underway in Chatham Strait. The Sapphire Princess was in Tracy Arm en route to Juneau at the time of the discovery. The whale was removed from the bow and towed to shore for necropsy.

Staff from NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska Sea Life Center and volunteers - performed the necropsy Friday.

Scientists found evidence that indicated several events had likely transpired by the time the whale was found on the bow of the cruise ship. Veterinarians leading the necropsy reported that the whale’s flipped had been amputated which then caused debilitation and/or death. This may have been followed by killer whale scavenging, as a large portion of the
ventral pleats in the lower jaw was missing (an area of the body typically targeted by killer whales).

Researchers are also trying to match the markings on the tail fluke of the female humpback to existing photos of whales in Southeast Alaska humpback whale catalogues.

Ship strikes with large whales in Alaska are increasing, likely due to an increasing population of humpback whales in the North Pacific as well as greater reporting effort.

Mariners are urged to slow their speeds when whales are spotted in the vicinity of travel, as well as when traveling in areas of known whale density such as Frederick Sound, Icy Strait, Chatham Strait and Lynn Canal.

Mariners are requested to report any sightings of whales in distress to the NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Hotline at (877) 925-7773.

Humpback whales are protected by both the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).