The mystery of two dead minke whales found along the Jersey Shore

Two dead minke whales were discovered along the Jersey Shore this week, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center of Brigantine.

A dead minke whale was found floating in the lower Raritan Bay on Thursday by the U.S. Coast Guard, according to stranding center staff. The whale, estimated between 16 and 18 feet long, was marked with a tracking tag by marine animal experts who are monitoring its movements. Scientists were waiting for the dead whale to come ashore, likely near Sandy Hook, so they could examine its carcass, stranding center staff said in a Facebook post.

A second dead whale was discovered in the surf after Lavallette Police responded to a call at the beach at Trenton Avenue Friday morning, Police Chief Christian LaCicero said.

The whale carcass in Lavallette measured between 10 and 12 feet long, according to center staff.

The second dead whale was transported to the Lavallette public works yard to prevent it from washing out to sea, LaCicero said. Marine mammal experts were expected to examine the carcass and perform a necropsy sometime Friday.

Minke whales are some of the most abundant whales on Earth, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries division. They can grow up to 35 feet long and live up to 50 years, according to the agency. They are common throughout the northern Atlantic ocean.

While not considered threatened or endangered, minke whales are still protected by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prevents their capture, harassment or killing.

This is a breaking story so please check back later for more information.

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Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 16 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.