Whale carcase to be removed today

Sep 19 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

SPECIALIST contractors are due to arrive at a Northumberland beach this morning to dispose of a dead 10-tonne whale which was washed ashore two days ago.

Heavy lifting gear will be used to remove the 20ft-long mammal from the beach at Cresswell near Druridge Bay and load it onto a tractor and trailer. It will then be incinerated in County Durham, and a beach clean-up operation carried out.

Today’s disposal operation has been coordinated by Castle Morpeth Borough Council after the Official Receiver of Wrecks gave the green light on Wednesday for the carcase to be removed. Since it was discovered by a passer-by on Wednesday morning scores of people have visited Cresswell to look at the whale.

Under British law dating back centuries, beached whales, dolphins, porpoises and sturgeon – so-called royal fish – are the property of the Queen.

Castle Morpeth Council coast and countryside officer Sam Talbot said yesterday : “Everyone has agreed to meet on site at 11am tomorrow and get the body taken away. We have got two contractors, one to lift the carcase on to a tractor and trailer and another to take it away for incineration. The plan is to take it away whole, rather than cut it up into smaller pieces on the beach, which would be very unpleasant. However, we might have to cut it up if the lifting operation doesn’t work.

“We will be bringing a special tracked vehicle with heavy lifting equipment on to the beach to lift the carcase. We will also have our own staff and a JCB with clean-up equipment if necessary. We will be repaid by the Crown for the work.”

The three options discussed by the council and Environment Agency for disposing of the carcase were landfill, incineration or rendering.