The Town of Humber Arm South says it’s on the hook for removing a dead sperm whale from a beach in Frenchman’s Cove.
The huge whale washed ashore on the outskirts of Frenchman’s Cove, but its location is considered within the municipal boundary.
That means it comes under the town’s jurisdiction if the beast is to be removed.
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Had the whale been outside the municipal boundary, the provincial government would be responsible for removing it, if required. The job would fall to Parks Canada if the whale had been beached within a national park.
The municipality of Humber Arm South consists of the neighbouring communities of Frenchman’s Cove, John’s Beach, Benoit’s Cove and Halfway Point.
While it is on the edge of town, the whale is located near some homes and could become a problem as its decomposition advances.
“We’ve just got to figure out how to do it properly,” said Marion Evoy, Humber Arm South’s town clerk.
Evoy said the town will consult with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the provincial government about the best way to dispose of the whale carcass.
No one from DFO was available for an interview Thursday. An emailed statement from the department confirmed officers have visited the site, but have not determined how the whale died.
The federal department advised people to stay away from the dead whale because of the risk of injury or the transmission of disease.
