The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says the carcass of a 10-metre juvenile humpback whale that washed ashore last Friday on Mooball Beach, near Pottsville on the far north coast, has been buried in the dunes behind the beach.
This method of disposal is consistent with the latest research, which shows that decomposition of whales buried above the water table and tide line, have very little detectable effect on the surrounding environment.
The carcass was buried behind the foredune, above the water table and tide line. Estimated to be approximately 15 tonnes, the carcass was in an advanced state of decomposition.
To avoid having it break up and spread the carcass and its fluids along the beach during the removal process, it was determined by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) that the best option was burial on site.
The burial is not expected to lead to any change in existing shark behaviour. The location was chosen following consultation with the Tweed Shire Council, the EPA and Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council Rangers.
TSC statement
Tweed Shire Council’s Manager Sustainability and Environment, Jane Lofthouse, said Council understands the concerns of the community regarding the burial of a decomposing humpback whale south of Black Rocks Beach at Pottsville earlier this week.
‘The whale was buried on Crown Land managed by Council, about 200 m north of where it washed up at Wooyung Nature Reserve, with the decision to bury the whale made by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in consultation with the NSW Environment Protection Agency, Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council as well as Council.
‘This was a situational decision following a thorough assessment based on the size of the whale, state of decomposition, risk to human health, visitation levels at this beach and cultural considerations,’ she said.
‘The burial site was selected to minimise impact on mature vegetation, distance from the high tide line, risk from erosion and availability of sufficient depth of soil for burial above the water table.
‘The NPWS will continue to monitor and manage this site.’
There may be some residual smell for a period of time, so beach users are encouraged to visit one of the many other beautiful beaches along the Tweed’s 37 km coastline.
Dog owners are encouraged to keep their dogs on lead while in this area.
Any enquiries regarding this matter should be directed to NPWS at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/
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