The following statement was recently released by NY State Senator Ken Lavalle

My office has received numerous calls inquiring about the whale that is stuck on a sandbar in Moriches Bay. It’s my understanding that the NYS DEC has signed a waiver to authorized the use of a local dredge to attempt to remove sand around the whale in order to free it. The Riverhead Foundation is the lead organization on the process.

The whale is a federally protected species, so it’s imperative that this effort is handled correctly.

Let’s hope the whale can be freed quickly.

There is currently a barge with dredging equipment en route to the Whale now.

There is a Facebook group named Locals Only Save our Whale broadcasting the efforts live, FireIslandandbeyond.com may also be heading out as well.