Dead humpback whale wrapped in rope washes ashore in eastern Newfoundland

Residents and officials in Spaniard's Bay, eastern Newfoundland, are grappling with the unusual challenge of a humpback whale carcass that washed ashore Thursday, heavily entangled in fishing rope.

Mayor Tammy Oliver stated the town is actively communicating with provincial and federal authorities to explore removal options. "A fisherman may be able to tow it out and sink it, or bring it to an uninhabited cove where it could decompose naturally," Oliver said, outlining potential solutions. She added that if the whale cannot be removed intact, it may need to be dismantled and transported to a landfill.

The young humpback, estimated by resident Mark Hayward to be about 12 meters long, was observed floating in the harbor on Thursday morning before strong winds pushed it onto the beach. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has confirmed that staff will visit the site to gather more information about the entanglement.

A department spokesperson noted that determining the type of fishing gear involved typically requires the rope to be removed from the animal. The town, home to approximately 2,600 people and located about 40 kilometers west of St. John's, now faces the logistical and environmental task of managing the large marine mammal's remains.

“

A fisherman may be able to tow it out and sink it, or bring it to an uninhabited cove where it could decompose naturally.