Community councillor kicks up a stink about rotting whale near Wick footpath
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Concern is growing about the "rotten" and "smelly" state of a dead whale that was washed ashore in Wick Bay three months ago.
Community councillor Alastair Ferrier claims it represents a biohazard and is worried that children venturing too close to the carcass could pick up diseases from it.
The body of the minke whale has been slowly deteriorating since coming ashore in March on rocks on the north side of the bay, just below the popular North Head footpath.
Mr Ferrier raised the issue with Highland Council but was told last month that the local authority would not be removing the carcase. Factors included "cost-effectiveness of disposal" and "health and safety issues for personnel dealing with the carcase".
At a meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council on Monday night, Mr Ferrier described the response from the environment health service as "quite poor".
He argues that if there is a perceived risk to personnel who would be sent to deal with the carcase then the same risk must apply to members of the public, in particular youngsters, who could potentially come into contact with it.
"I cannot believe there's not some sort of discretionary fund available to move the thing," Mr Ferrier said. "But I know myself that it's rotten and it's smelly, depending on which way the wind is blowing."
Chairperson Joanna Coghill added: "I just think it's shocking that Highland Council did nothing."
In March, the local authority explained that it will consider a range of factors when dealing with a whale carcase. These are:
- Public and environmental health issues – i.e. is the carcase posing a potential risk or health hazard?
- Health and safety issues for personnel dealing with the carcase
- The presence of any special constraints – i.e. local heritage/nature conservation issues
- Cost-effectiveness of disposal
- Location, including accessibility for removal equipment
- Availability of disposal sites in the area – i.e. landfill, beach disposal
- State of decomposition of the carcase
This same list was supplied to Mr Ferrier in an email from the environmental health service on May 9 under a paragraph that stated: "Having considered the relevant guidance from Marine Scotland on the matter, it was concluded that the council would not remove the carcase on this occasion."
Mr Ferrier was unimpressed and replied on May 17, saying: "To respond with a meaningless list with no definition I am afraid is not acceptable."
He went on: "Dependent upon the wind, there is a disgusting smell being given off. Maggots and flies are now infecting the carcase. What about the impact of young kids coming along with curiosity and picking up disease or significant health issues from this?"
On the point about the possible risk to personnel, who would have the appropriate training and equipment, Mr Ferrier asked: "Are we saying there are no health issues to the public, but only to personnel?"
He also wrote: "I appreciate this may not be in the easily accessible location. This does not, though, remove the biohazard presented to those around."
Speaking in March, a Highland Council spokesperson said: “The responsibility for dead whales less than 25 feet in length, and all dead porpoises, dolphins and sturgeons, rests with the council, who will consider disposal options if required.
“In Scotland, ‘royal fish’ are considered to be those stranded whales measuring more than 25 feet from the snout to the middle of the tail. On behalf of the Crown, the Scottish Government has first claim on all ‘royal fish’ found dead and stranded on the shoreline of Scotland.
"Where the Scottish Government does not wish to claim a 'royal fish', it will liaise with the local authority environment health department, who may wish to arrange for disposal of the carcase.
“The public are encouraged to report sightings of stranded or dead marine mammals to the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme."
