September 21, 2026

Whale carcass removed from Salt Marsh nearshore area

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) says the whale carcass, discovered near the shoreline at Salt Marsh Trelawny has been successfully removed from the nearshore and towed offshore.

NEPA says the removal operation was conducted by boat captains and crews it contracted.

On Saturday, the agency urged the public to exercise caution and avoid entering the water in Salt Marsh, after sharks were observed , feeding on the carcass of a whale in the shallow waters.

NEPA in an update today says the intervention was undertaken to remove the carcass from the vicinity of the shoreline and reduce the potential for interactions between members of the public and sharks or other marine scavengers attracted to the remains.

Following the operation, the contracted captains conducted a follow-up check of the area for any residual whale remains.

NEPA says they reported that no remain was visible at the surface at the time of their inspection.

NEPA explains that although the removal operation has been completed, it’s advising members of the public to continue exercising caution and to observe precautionary measures until further guidance is provided.

Persons should avoid entering the affected waters and should not approach, feed, provoke, throw objects at, or otherwise interfere with marine wildlife.

Members of the public are also reminded that marine wildlife, including sharks and marine mammals should be observed from a safe distance and should not be handled or disturbed.

Any subsequent sighting of a marine mammal carcass or associated remains near the coastline should be reported promptly to NEPA, providing the location and photographs, where these can be obtained safely.

Members of the public should not attempt to handle, move or otherwise relocate any remains.