Update June 28, 2026
East Hampton Town has successfully completed the removal of the deceased humpback whale, which has been “safely moved to a designated work area, where AMSEAS biologists conducted a necropsy before the carcass was removed from the beach. The operation was completed by approximately 5:30 p.m.” on Saturday, according to the town.
“The work area has been covered with fresh sand, and the contractor will continue restoring the temporary access route through the dune. The dirt parking lot remains closed during this work, but the beach is open to pedestrians,” according to the town.
Original Story Follows:
After a decomposing humpback whale about 40 feet in length washed ashore in Montauk Friday near the Ditch Plains Trailer Park, the East Hampton Town Department of Natural Resources crews constructed a temporary sand land bridge this weekend “to allow heavy equipment to safely reach the deceased humpback whale for removal,” according to the town. “Because of the whale’s size, the operation will take significant time and care.”
Pictured Above: The whale on the beach Friday at Ditch Plains, before the town began constructing the land bridge. |. East Hampton Town photo
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS), a federally authorized marine mammal response organization, first received a report of a deceased humpback whale floating offshore, approximately seven miles south of Ditch Plains Beach, on Thursday evening via its NYS Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline.
AMSEAS says the whale “is estimated to be approximately 40 feet in length with significant evidence of scavenging, and that “a second humpback whale carcass is currently being monitored by NOAA Fisheries and was last reported floating offshore east of Block Island.”
East Hampton Town says it is working with AMSEAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and NOAA Fisheries “to assess, recover, and dispose of the animal.”
On Friday, “local Indigenous community leaders offered a ceremonial prayer for the whale, recognizing the significance of the animal and honoring it before the work begins,” according to the town. “AMSEAS biologists will continue documenting and examining the animal as the removal process gets underway. For everyone’s safety, please continue to stay at least 300 feet away from the whale. Even deceased whales in the surf can present serious hazards.”
The town has prohibited swimming in the swim area at Ditch Plains Beach and “lifeguards advise against surfing in the immediate area while response efforts are underway. Please stay at least 150 feet away from the whale, both on land and in the water.”
NOAA Fisheries has been investigating an unusual mortality event for humpback whales in the North Atlantic since 2016. During the first year of the unusual mortality event time, NOAA Fishers documented 43 humpback whale strandings and was able to conduct necropsies on about 20 of them, 10 of which “had evidence of blunt force trauma or pre-mortem propeller wounds indicative of vessel strike.”
The agency reminds boaters in coastal waters “throughout the region “to keep a close eye out for feeding whales and to remember to follow safe viewing guidelines, which include staying 100 feet away from the whales for your safety and theirs.”
NOAA Fisheries is compiling data from the whale strandings in this interactive GIS map.
To report a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle in New York, call the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at 631.369.9829.
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