Images of the dead humpback whale floating around 4,500ft off the Jersey Shore coast. (Jersey Shore Fire Response)
The floating remains of a humpback whale in New Jersey on Wednesday, March 1. (Jersey Shore Fire Response)
The whale was reported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and then to federal authorities with the NOAA.
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"We are working with local authorities and the USCG (U.S. Coast Guard) to actively monitor the whale to see where it might land," NOAA spokeswoman Allison Ferreira said in a statement. Since the whale has not washed ashore, the cause of the humpback is currently unknown.
The cause of death is unknown as the whale isn't shore yet. (Jersey Shore Fire Response)
NOAA say there is no evidence that noise resulting from wind development-related site characterization surveys could potentially cause mortality of whales, as well as no specific links between recent large whale mortalities and currently ongoing surveys.
In 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared an Unusual Mortality Event for humpback whale stranding from Maine to Florida. Of the whales examined through Feb. 3, about 40% had evidence of human interaction.
Near New Jersey, humpback whales may be following their prey, which are reportedly close to shore this winter. The prey also attract fish that are of interest to recreational and commercial fishermen.
Fox News' Julia Musto contributed to this report.