A few days ago, an MSC Cruises ship arrived in Brooklyn harbour to much surprise, when it was discovered that the body of a 13-metre sei whale, a species of whale on the brink of extinction, was lying on its bow.

The sei whale is the third largest cetacean in the world behind the blue whale and the fin whale. These three large cetaceans are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as endangered species.

When the whale was discovered on its bow, the authorities intervened and a boat towed it to Sandy Hook Beach in New Jersey in order to carry out an autopsy and understand the exact circumstances of the animal's death.

Although the investigation report following this macabre discovery has not yet been published, Robert A. DiGiovanni, chief scientist at the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, insists that the animal was indeed killed when it struck the boat. In fact, the whale, with its broken right flipper and badly damaged right shoulder blade, was undoubtedly very much alive when it hit the ship and then died of its injuries.

Every year, more than 3,500 impacts are recorded between ships and large cetaceans. These encounters are the leading cause of whale mortality linked to human activity.

MSC Crociere has expressed its deep sadness at the incident, and reiterated that it complies with all the regulations in force to protect cetaceans. But this incident, which follows many others like it, has prompted environmental groups to call for tougher regulations governing maritime transport.