Public Notice: Emergency Permit for the Disposal of a Fin Whale Carcass - Yarmouth, MA
Summary
The EPA issued an Emergency Permit to the Great Island Homeowners' Association Board in Yarmouth, MA for the disposal of a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) carcass into ocean waters. The deceased whale washed ashore along Great Island in Yarmouth, MA on May 8, 2025. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Stranding Coordinator was notified, and the whale carcass was examined by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on May 9.
Given the inaccessibility of the carcass location for heavy machinery and the large size of the carcass, burial was not possible and no other feasible upland options could be identified. Given the lack of upland options and the determination of potential risk to human health from allowing the whale to decompose in place on the shoreline of this populated area, the EPA issued an Emergency Permit on May 13 to allow for ocean disposal of the carcass. Beginning on May 17, the whale carcass was towed approximately 64 miles offshore of Chatham, MA into the Atlantic Ocean and outside established shipping lanes. The carcass was released at approximately 5:20 am EDT on May 18 in hopes that it would be assimilated naturally into the marine food chain.
Under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, emergency permits may be issued for any materials except those prohibited by 40 CFR 227.5 when the Administrator determines that there exists an emergency requiring the disposal of such materials, which poses unacceptable risk relating to human health and admits no other feasible solution.
Applicants or Respondents
Great Island Homeowners' Association Board in Yarmouth, MAUnited States