The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it has officially closed its investigation into Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding allegations that he decapitated a whale carcass two decades ago. The agency stated that the claims were determined to be unfounded.
The investigation was initiated after Kennedy revealed at a campaign event in Arizona last month that he had received a letter from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a branch under NOAA. According to Kennedy, the letter informed him that he was under investigation for an incident dating back 20 years, when he allegedly collected and transported a dead whale specimen. Kennedy stated that he took the whale head back to his home after finding it on a beach.
On Thursday, a NOAA spokesperson confirmed, “The Office of Law Enforcement has determined the allegation to be unfounded, and the investigation is now closed.” The agency did not provide additional details regarding the inquiry or its findings.
Kennedy’s spokesperson, Stefanie Spear, commented on the matter, expressing relief over the closure of the investigation. She stated, “I hope this allows NOAA’s enforcement team to focus on more urgent concerns, particularly the 109 Atlantic whale deaths recorded since 2022 near offshore wind projects.” Spear’s statement reflects a broader concern over the impact of wind energy development on marine life, a topic of ongoing debate among conservationists and industry stakeholders.
NOAA has addressed this issue on its website, stating there are currently no established links between the deaths of large whales and offshore wind activities. Despite these assurances, some environmentalists continue to express concerns, calling for further studies into the potential effects of such projects on marine ecosystems.
The renewed interest in the whale incident involving Kennedy gained traction shortly after he announced the suspension of his independent presidential campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump. The story about the whale carcass resurfaced when a 2012 interview with Kennedy’s daughter, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, began circulating on social media. In the interview, published by *Town & Country* magazine, she recounted an instance where her father used a chainsaw to sever the head of a dead whale found near their family’s home in Cape Cod. He then transported the head back to New York on the roof of the family’s minivan.
The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, an environmental group focused on wildlife conservation, had sent a letter to NOAA urging them to investigate Kennedy’s actions. The organization raised concerns that he may have violated federal laws designed to protect marine life, arguing that his actions could have interfered with scientific research efforts. They emphasized that removing parts of marine animal whale carcasses without proper authorization can disrupt important data collection that helps scientists monitor species health and behavior.
Kennedy has maintained that the incident was a misunderstanding, asserting that he collected the specimen purely out of curiosity and respect for marine life. With the closure of the investigation, the issue appears to be resolved, but it has reignited discussions about marine conservation laws and the need for careful adherence to wildlife protection regulations.
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