Massive 11-Ton Humpback Whale Carcass Washes Ashore in California

Officials warn public to stay at least 100 feet away due to public safety concerns

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A 27-to-29-foot, 11-ton humpback whale carcass washed ashore on a beach in Newport Beach, California on February 18, 2026. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center says the stormy ocean conditions and rising tide make the whale a public safety concern, as the large body could roll onto bystanders who get too close. Officials are working on a plan to safely remove and dispose of the whale.

Why it matters

Humpback whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and members of the public are required to stay at least 100 yards (300 feet) away from the carcass. The whale's large size and the hazardous ocean conditions pose a significant risk to public safety, requiring officials to carefully manage the removal and disposal process.

The details

The dead whale is estimated to be a subadult humpback, likely about a year old, that washed ashore near the Newport and Balboa piers. Staff from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center responded to collect samples and begin an initial assessment, but the cause of death remains unknown. Removal efforts have been stalled due to strong winds and hazardous ocean conditions, which make it too dangerous to tow the carcass away. Officials are monitoring tides in hopes that higher water levels could pull the whale back out to sea, but if not, they may need to cut the animal into sections and haul it away.

  • The whale was first spotted offshore of Newport Beach on February 18, 2026, around 1:45 p.m. near 28th Street.
  • The whale drifted onto the sand near 11th Street around 3 p.m. on February 18, 2026, between the Newport and Balboa piers.

The players

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

A marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation organization that responded to the scene to collect samples and begin an initial assessment of the whale carcass.

Brian O'Rourke

The Newport Beach lifeguard chief who stated that the whale could pose a danger to the public and that officials are working on a plan to safely dispose of the carcass.

Michael Milstein

A spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who stated that experts will conduct a preliminary review and necropsy to determine the cause of the whale's death.

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What they’re saying

“The stormy ocean conditions and rising tide make the whale a public safety concern, as the large body could roll onto bystanders who are too close.”

— Pacific Marine Mammal Center (People.com)

“Just please stay away from it right now until we can get the salvage disposal of the whale underway. It's massive; there could be some danger to the public, it's rolling away from the surfline. It could cause damage, even crush them.”

— Brian O'Rourke, Newport Beach Lifeguard Chief (People.com)

What’s next

Officials are monitoring tides in hopes that higher water levels could pull the whale back out to sea. If not, crews may need to cut the animal into sections and haul it away.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of public safety protocols and proper disposal procedures when dealing with large marine mammal carcasses that wash ashore. The protected status of humpback whales also adds an additional layer of complexity to the management of this situation.