Overview
- The roughly 30-foot, 20,000-pound whale came ashore near 11th Street between the Newport and Balboa piers after first being seen offshore near 28th Street.
- Pacific Marine Mammal Center staff conducted an on-scene assessment, and NOAA says a necropsy will follow to determine the cause of death.
- Lifeguard Chief Brian O’Rourke said tow and salvage vessels could not safely approach because winds and surf made operations too dangerous.
- Officials are weighing options that include waiting for higher tides to refloat the carcass or cutting and hauling pieces offsite.
- Authorities are maintaining a 200-foot public safety buffer around the site and monitoring conditions for a potential removal window.