DelawareOnline Article on Whales

Here’s a great article by The New Journal/DelawareOnline.com about the recent rash of whales coming ashore in Delaware….very interesting and worth a look! http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100328/NEWS/3280370

A Wonderful Blog and MERR Institute…

…full of interesting info. and dialog about the fin whale that washed ashore this past weekend in Fenwick Island. Be sure to check it out at www.http://www.aboutmybeaches.com/2793/fin-whale-stranded-delaware-beaches-fenwick-island-a-video/comment-page-1/#comment-2462
Thanks, Gloria, for sharing your blog with our visitors!

For lots of photos and more information about the Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation Institute (MERR Institute) check out http://www.merrinstitute.org/ This terrific group out of Lewes, Delaware coordinated efforts for informing the public about the fin whale, guarding it, necropsis, and burial of the mammal.

At the MERR Institute’s website I found links to a Florida website Jacksonville.com that warns boaters about steering clear of whales during this annual Spring spawning migration. It also answered my questions about Federal laws governing whales with the following excerpt “Federal rules written to keep whales from being struck or harassed say people should stay 500 yards away and slowly back off if whales surface nearby. It’s a message repeated on marine radio broadcasts, Web sites and signs at boat ramps.” If you plan to visit us in the near future and want to read more about whales and boaters check out their website at http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-03-16/story/nicer_weather_raising_chances_of_boaters_whales_crossing_paths

Fin Whale Washes Ashore in Fenwick Island

Fran, myself and our 2 dogs walked the beach in utter disbelief at the sight of an enormous whale washed ashore here Sunday. We approached the site from the angle opposite of most photos of the mammal which oddly was the best view Sunday. Regretfully, we didn’t take cameras so will rely on the already posted news photos. By Sunday the whale was completely beached so you could see it in all its majesty…though not smelling so good. Hours later our bichon, Mimi, and my shoes smelled ripe from our day’s adventure.

Sadly, this 60+-ton, 61 foot female fin whale is an endangered species with dwindling numbers in the world today. The fin whale is the 2nd largest species on earth/sea second only to the blue whale. It is known as the greyhound of whale due to its long, thin torso and fast speed. I’m including a link that will tell you more about the species of the historic whale found here in Delaware the first weekend in Spring.

Hopefully, there will be maritime issues raised over 2 endangered whales washing ashore in the same general area in a week, both appearing to have been struck by ships. In Alaska ships must cut engines and have sonar to warn whales away from danger. I hope this issue will be brought to light so we never seen this site on our beaches again!

Check out the American Cetecean Society for more information on fin whales at - 
www.acsonline.org/factpack/finwhl.htm

For more news on visit www.delawareonline.com/article/20100323/NEWS/3230345