A 50-foot dead whale has been towed to a Danish harbour, sparking urgent calls from British marine experts for a thorough investigation into the cause of its death. The carcass, discovered floating in the North Sea, was brought ashore in Thyborøn after a Danish fishing vessel spotted it late Tuesday. UK scientists say the incident demands more than a superficial probe, warning that such deaths could signal wider problems in the North Sea ecosystem.
Dr. Eleanor Cross, a marine biologist at the University of Hull, said that while whale deaths are not uncommon, the lack of a coordinated international response is concerning. “We need full autopsies, tissue sampling, and acoustic data to understand if ship strikes, plastic ingestion, or climate change are to blame. Simply towing it away without a proper examination is a waste of vital research material,” she told the BBC.
The whale, believed to be a sei or fin whale, both endangered species, had deep cuts consistent with propeller wounds. Conservation groups in Denmark and the UK are now demanding the Danish government allow a joint inspection before the carcass is buried or incinerated.
This incident follows a string of unusual marine mammal deaths across the North Sea. In March, a pod of 20 pilot whales stranded on a Scottish beach, and last year a blue whale was found dead off the coast of Cornwall with a stomach full of plastic. Environmentalists argue that these are not isolated events.
“For working people in coastal communities, this is about more than just animals,” said Mark Watson, a fisherman from Grimsby. “If the sea is sick, our livelihoods are at stake. We can’t afford to ignore what’s happening out there.” Watson says many fishermen now routinely report sightings of dead or distressed whales, but seldom get feedback from authorities.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was aware of the incident and was in contact with Danish counterparts. A spokesperson said, “We take all marine incidents seriously and will support any investigation deemed necessary under international protocols.” However, critics say the UK has cut funding for marine monitoring since Brexit, leaving gaps in data collection.
Anne Jørgensen, a marine biologist from Aarhus University involved in the initial assessment, warned that without immediate action, the whale’s body will decompose too quickly for meaningful analysis. “We have a narrow window to collect samples. After that, the evidence is gone,” she said.
The cost of a full investigation is estimated at £50,000, a sum that conservation groups say would be dwarfed by the long-term costs of ignoring the health of the North Sea. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity has launched an appeal for funds to support a joint UK-Danish inquiry.
As the whale lies on the dock at Thyborøn, crowds of locals and tourists have gathered, some taking selfies. But for those who make their living from the sea, the mood is sombre. “This isn’t a spectacle,” said Watson. “It’s a warning. And if we don’t listen, there will be more.”
