From the Author: Our family has been taking week-long vacations on Block Island for 6+ years. We love this island and know it well. If you have any questions, we respond quickly to comments!
On the morning of June 24th, 2024 a large female humpback whale washed up on Block Island’s shore, between Dories Cove and Grace’s Cove.
The whale was eventually identified as “Binary” by the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS). CSS started tracking her in the early 1980s through their Gulf of Maine Humpback Whale Catalog.
Binary had 9 baby calves over the years, and was tracked going as far as the West Indies!
It isn’t clear what caused the whale’s death – there were no signs of physical damage.
Given the dangerous location of the beaching, Block Island officials have decided to leave Binary where she is to decompose, or be taken back out by the high tides.
When I visited her on the morning of June 27th, it was clear the decomposition process had already begun, and other fish had started to feed on the carcass.
Strangely we found the whale’s “teeth” (Baleen plates) about 20 yards away from the body.
Scientists advise the public not to touch the whale as there is the potential for disease transmission. It’s also illegal to do so!
