Huge Fin Whale Washes Up on New Jersey Beach

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A large Fin whale, estimated to be 51 feet long and 25 tons, washed up on Barnegat Light Beach in New Jersey on Friday, just before a major blizzard hit the area. Officials from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine say the whale appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma, likely from a boat strike, and had also been previously entangled. A necropsy was performed, and the whale was buried on the beach before the storm arrived.

Why it matters

The discovery of the massive Fin whale, the second largest species of whale, on a New Jersey beach is an unusual and newsworthy event. Fin whales are typically found farther offshore, so their appearance on a public beach raises questions about what may have led to the whale's demise and stranding.

The details

Officials from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center say the Fin whale that washed ashore was 51 feet long and weighed an estimated 25 tons. The whale appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma, likely from a boat strike, and also showed signs of previous entanglement at the base of its tail. A necropsy was performed on the whale, and samples were collected by biologists to learn more about the animal and the cause of its death.

• The whale washed up on Barnegat Light Beach on Friday, February 21, 2026.
• A major blizzard hit the area shortly after the whale was discovered.

What’s next

Biologists from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center will continue to analyze the samples collected during the necropsy to determine the exact cause of the whale's death.