HARPSWELL, Maine — Officials in Harpswell are figuring out a plan to dispose of a whale carcass after it was spotted floating in shallow water between Bailey and Orr's Islands.
The Harpswell Marine Resources & Harbor Management posted on social media Monday afternoon stating the town is aware of the dead whale in Will's Gut near the Cribstone Bridge and is looking for options for disposal "due to its tough location mixed in with the ledges."
The post was made with the intention of letting those nearby know there's no need to further contact officials with whale sightings, Harpswell officials said in the post.
The Harpswell harbormaster told NEWS CENTER Maine authorities have met with members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to discuss next steps. Now, the town is seeing where it can allocate an estimated $1,500 to properly dispose of the carcass.
Residents nearby told NEWS CENTER Maine on Monday that there was a "pungent smell in the air."
"There's been whale sightings. You know, whales moving through the area, migrating. But never saw a dead whale carcass in the area," Jim Reardon, who lives in the area, said.
This story is developing and may be updated as information becomes available.
