30ft minke whale washes up on beach

The carcass of a 30ft minke whale has been washed up on an East Lothian beach.

The decomposed whale was discovered at Belhaven beach, near Dunbar, by members of the public on Sunday night.

Marine experts believe it may have been entangled in creel ropes. If trapped, the mammal may not have been able to surface to breathe or be able to feed. Corinne Gordon, of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said: “It is a really sad situation.”

Sam Christopherson, director of Coast to Coast Surf School, said: “We became aware of the whale when one of our teachers went out to give a session.

“It is so big. The whale is definitely a lot bigger than the usual animals that get washed up on this beach. It’s such a shame to see these kind of incidents.” A Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme spokesman said: “The minke whale was reported to us late on Sunday. It’s been dead for several weeks. There is some lesions suggestive of entanglement in creel ropes but the animal is too decomposed for necropsy to confirm this.” A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said arrangements are being made to dispose of the mammal as soon as possible.