Dead fin whale found on ship bow at New Jersey marine terminal.

Authorities say a dead whale was found on the bow of a ship at Gloucester Marine Terminal on Jan. 4 and the animal was tentatively identified as a fin whale while NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement is investigating.

Authorities report a dead whale was discovered on the bow of a ship arriving at the Gloucester Marine Terminal on the Delaware River near Philadelphia on Jan. 4. The U.S. Coast Guard alerted responders that night and the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said crews were on scene the following day. Crews removed the whale from the vessel on Jan. 5 and moved the carcass to a secure location while coordinating with local, state and federal authorities. Known details: - The U.S. Coast Guard reported the whale was caught on the ship's bow at about 11:15 p.m. local time on Jan. 4, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. - The Marine Mammal Stranding Center assisted with removal on Jan. 5 and towed the carcass to a nearby secure site; the whale has been tentatively identified as a fin whale about 25 to 30 feet long pending official confirmation. - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Law Enforcement is investigating, and officials said species confirmation and decisions about necropsy and disposal will be made during recovery and examination. Summary: The discovery is under federal investigation and species confirmation is expected during the planned examination. Further procedural outcomes, including any necropsy findings or disposal decisions, will be determined after that work is completed.