27ft whale washed up at Tyrella

27ft whale washed up at Tyrella

11 September 2019

THE discovery of a dead minke whale washed up along Tyrella beach has shocked local people.

The adult 27ft whale was discovered on Monday morning and work has begun on its removal.

The Coastguard said it had received a call from Northern Ireland Fisheries Protection just before 11:15am reporting that the whale had “washed ashore” at the beach.

It added that Newcastle Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to locate the whale which was found on Corbett’s strand.  The public was also urged to stay away from the “distressing scene” by HM Coastguard.

Newry Mourne and Down Council, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Receiver of Wreck have all been informed about the incident, along with fisheries protection.

“The team located the deceased minke whale and waited for the relevant authorities to arrive,” said HM Coastguard.

“Obviously it is a very distressing scene and we would urge people, for their own safety, to stay clear until the council has removed the whale.”

It is the second dead minke whale to have been washed up locally as one was found at Killough beach in July, 2016.

Minke whales have been spotted along the shores of Northern Ireland before and a young whale was discovered swimming in Belfast Harbour two years ago.