The Coast Guard in a statement said response crews have removed approximately 1,000 pounds of tar balls and oiled debris from impacted beaches between Asbury Park and Sea Bright.
The Coast Guard, along with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Monmouth County Health Department continue to investigate how the balls, which are anywhere from 1-2 inches in diameter, wound up on Monmouth County beaches.
Kari Martin, Clean Ocean Action's Advocacy Campaign Manager said the tar and oil balls of varying size and texture were first reported Monday by some people on Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch and in adjacent Monmouth Beach.
A preliminary necropsy found that whale found on a Long Branch beach on Aug. 12, 2023 had survived a boat strike last year, but was killed by a second strike.