Safe to eat? Frenzy over beached whale meat speaks concern

A video of a whale carcass being ravaged by hungry humans on a KwaZulu-Natal beach has sparked concern over the safe consumption of the meat. 

According to the South Coast Herald, a humpback whale carcass washed ashore at Port Dunford.  The large sea animal was quickly hacked up by locals as their next meal.

SAFE TO EAT? HUMANS RAVAGE CARCASS

In pics and clips posted on social media, dozens of Port Dunford locals are seen dissecting chunks of meat from the washed-up animal.

The residents store the meat in buckets and containers, likely for consumption. “Here in KZN, we’re having a party”, one Twitter user said of the incident.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Juvenile whale carcass washes ashore at Umhlanga beach

Take a look…

Two videos of whales beached in 2 places in KwaZulu-Natal doing the rounds. One is in Umhlanga, near Durban. The one shared here is in Esikhaleni (Esikhawini). Why does it look like it has bullet wounds?! Also, why does it look like they're slicing it?! No one tried to save it? pic.twitter.com/jfuy3Xx8zG

— Siphumelele Zondi (@SZondi) August 18, 2023

Here in KZN we having a party pic.twitter.com/RAJHyBen27

— 💪🏾Thee Guy💪🏾 (@thuso_thelejane) August 18, 2023

According to the South Coast Herald, the sea animal was likely hit by a boating propellor, given the sighting of injuries on its body.

But while eating most fish is nothing out of the ordinary, residents have been warned to proceed with caution when consuming the animal’s meat. In fact, officials have repeatedly warned residents not to eat it at all.

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In May, residents of Hermanus were warned to not consume the meat of a beached whale due to concerns over how and why the animal had died.

AfriOceans founder Lesley Rochat told IOL: “Because whales are high up on the food chain, they are vulnerable to contaminants such as pesticides and PCBS (polychlorinated biphenyl) and heavy metals such as methylmercury.

“These chemicals, if consumed, can cause nerve damage, liver damage, and reproductive disorders, to mention a few.”

According to Rochat, the possession of whale meat is illegal in South Africa.

THREE MORE WHALES WASH UP ON KZN COASTLINE

Meanwhile, the Citizen reported that three more whale carcasses were spotted along Durban’s north coast in the last week.

Vinayak Maharaj, the owner of Umhlanga Scuba, told the publication that he had spotted one at sea and another two at Umhlanga and Tinley Beach, respectively.

He said: “The pic of a dead whale in Tinley Manor was posted in one of the fishing groups I belong to. Something is killing our whales, and an investigation is needed.”

https://twitter.com/KznToday/status/1691719604182139181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1691719604182139181%7Ctwgr%5Eac1378e517b2cdf4c4346481525cf1f8861503be%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Flifestyle%2Fbreaking-whale-carcass-kzn-port-dunford-umlanga-carcass-meat-danger-latest-21-august-2023%2F

However, the KZN Sharks Board has issued a statement disputing claims that something is wrong.

Head of Operations Wayne Harrison, explained how whale carcasses washing up on shore was a natural phenomenon.

He said: “In their travels, it is the longest mammal migration known to man, they have been feeding in the Antarctic, and for at least six months in the year, they don’t feed.”

“When the whales travel back to Antarctica, they pass by the KZN coast, which is usually during this time of the year. These animals don’t have much to feed on. Their body condition is not in the best state, and they can lose up to 10 tons in body mass, if not more. They are also vulnerable, and that is why we have those mortalities along the coast here.”

According to reports, the remains of the carcasses would be incinerated by local municipalities.

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