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With More Beached Whales Washing Up Than Ever Before, Officials Wonder How to Get Rid of Them

In recent weeks, the shores of Newquay, Cornwall, witnessed a daunting challenge: the disposal of a dead fin whale weighing several tonnes. As whale strandings along the British coastline continue to increase, experts face not only the logistical nightmare of moving these colossal carcasses but also the potential hazard of explosions during the decomposition process. The situation underscores the growing concern surrounding whale strandings and the complexities involved in their aftermath.

Source: Inside Edition/YouTube

The Zoological Society of London’s Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) has been diligently recording whale strandings in the UK since 1990. Over the years, the numbers have surged dramatically, with a record 17,850 cetacean strandings documented. The year 2023 has seen an unusual spike, including a significant mass stranding of 55 pilot whales on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, emphasizing the severity of the issue.

Local councils and organizations tasked with disposing of stranded whale carcasses face numerous challenges. The rapid decomposition of the whale once onshore poses a public health risk due to hazardous bacteria. The financial and practical difficulties of moving a dead whale, which can weigh up to 40 tonnes, are compounded by the potential for the decomposing carcass to become explosive.

The decomposition process of stranded whales includes a bloating stage where gases build up inside the body. In some cases, this can lead to explosive consequences, as witnessed in videos from California and the Netherlands. The urgency to remove the carcass becomes crucial, requiring organizations to work against the clock to avoid harm to the public.

Various methods have been employed worldwide to dispose of whale carcasses, each with its own degree of success. The use of explosives, demonstrated in archive footage from 1970, resulted in overwhelming smells and flying chunks of whale flesh. More recent attempts, such as in Iceland in 2005, have yielded similar outcomes, leading to concerns about public safety.

Landfill disposal is generally considered the optimal method, with approximately one-third of beached whales in the US being handled this way. However, serious challenges arise when whales strand on private land, imposing financial burdens on landowners for their removal.

Rendering and incineration are alternatives gaining traction in the UK. Rendering involves breaking down cetacean remains into pieces, boiling them down, and combining them with alcohol to create biodiesel. Incineration, while less common, remains an option, but it proves challenging for large carcasses due to size constraints.

The increasing frequency of whale strandings presents a multifaceted challenge for experts, from logistical hurdles to the potential danger of explosive decompositions. The urgency to find effective and safe disposal methods is evident, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts between local authorities, organizations, and communities to address this complex issue. As the number of strandings continues to rise, finding sustainable solutions becomes imperative for the well-being of both marine life and the communities affected by these majestic creatures’ unexpected arrivals.

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