Humpback Whale Thrills Boaters in Piscataqua River Near Portsmouth and New Castle

On Sunday, boaters in the Piscataqua River near Portsmouth and New Castle were mesmerized by the appearance of a humpback whale, likely the same one recently observed breaching in Pepperrell Cove, Kittery, Maine.

Dianna Schulte, co-founder and research director for the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, identified the whale by its distinctive dorsal fin markings. While the sighting generated considerable excitement, Schulte cautioned boaters to be careful as many vessels converged around the whale, which emerged for air every few minutes.

The presence of a humpback whale in the Piscataqua River is an extraordinary event. Schulte, a lifelong resident of the area, noted that she had never seen a whale in the river before. The whale was first observed from Peirce Island in Portsmouth around 2 p.m., and the Coast Guard issued warnings about the whale to ensure public safety.

Schulte explained that the whale’s presence in the river is likely due to the abundance of menhaden, or pogies, a type of fish it feeds on. Recent sightings in Pepperrell Cove showed the whales feeding on these fish, which have been increasingly moving into the area. Kittery harbormaster John Brosnihan also reported seeing the whale feeding on pogies during the week of July 4.

With the whale’s unexpected visit, Schulte emphasized the importance of safety for both the whale and boaters. She advised boaters to keep their distance and reel in fishing lines to prevent entanglement, which can cause severe injury or death to whales. Fishing gear in the water poses a significant risk, as it could easily snag the whale.

Humpback whales, weighing up to 40 tons and reaching lengths of 60 feet, are powerful and unpredictable, potentially posing a threat to boats. Schulte highlighted that these animals are wild and capable of sinking boats if they feel threatened.

Humpback whales face various global threats, including vessel strikes, climate change, entanglement in fishing gear, harassment, and noise pollution, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.