Whale woes wrap up: carcass leaves Outer Cove

The rotting whale carcass that stuck around the shores of Outer Cove, Newfoundland for weeks, finally made its way to a waste disposal site, following a precarious day-long effort to remove the dead mammal.

• How do you solve a problem like a dead whale? Lack of help is 'scandalous,' says mayor
• Whale watch from afar: Outer Cove crowds told to back off dead humpback

The efforts on Wednesday had been spearheaded by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans albeit after Mayor John Kennedy previously criticized various agencies for passing the buck for days while the dead humpback lingered first on the beach, then in the ocean.

Earlier in the day, three boats were out in the water trying to retrieve the dead humpback, which first washed ashore on May 22.

Outer Cove whale being removed

7 years ago

Duration 1:06

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is working to remove a rotting whale carcass that has frustrated the Outer Cove town council for weeks.

Crews could be seen trying to tie ropes around the 10-tonne whale before attempting to tow it.

A largeexcavator remained on the beach with a net, and the whale was eventually lifted by a crane and then lowered onto a large truck.

That marked the beginning of its journey to a waste disposal site near Sunnyside and the end of its time in Outer Cove.

Capelin conundrum

For some, like musician Chris Andrews who lives nearby and watched part of Wednesday's operation, the true impact of the whale's stayfor weeks remains to be seen.

"Some people are nervous, like the capelin are a big draw for down here and they say it may affect it," he said.

"Also for the fishing, you know, for the limited food fishery that we have, so hopefully it hasn't done too much damage to our great little ecosystem down here."

Andrews isn't the only one raising the alarm on what effects the carcass could have on capelin.

Marine researcher Jack Lawson told CBC News two weeks ago that a lot of the whale's fat will emulsify and float off.

"All these oils, they don't dissolve in the water for a long time," he said.

"So the issue is, if you're looking for capelin in a few weeks, they may be tasting a bit like whale fat."