Authorities say a dead whale was recently discovered floating in Long Branch.

Over a dozen dead mammals have been found along or just off the New Jersey coastline since December, according to officials.

These discoveries have prompted a debate over whether or not ships conducting mapping for offshore wind farms could be interfering with whale sonar.

A dead humpback whale also washed ashore off near Fire Island on Friday. Officials say the mammal was believed to be male and around five years old. A necropsy is being conducted, which can take several weeks or months to complete.

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