Marine biologists collected samples Friday from a deceased humpback whale that washed up on the shore of an Amagansett beach.

Rob DiGiovanni, of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, says the 30-foot, female whale was quite decomposed when it was found Thursday.

He says the samples collected will help determine the cause of death.

DiGiovanni told News 12 that eight whales have washed up so far this year – seven humpbacks and one sperm whale.

Of those eight, five showed evidence of a boat strike that led to its death. The other results are still pending.

Other causes of whale death could include disease, old age or a migration of food sources.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says the amount of washed up whales this year is an “unusual event.”