Dead whale on the beach of Wolin National Park

On Tuesday, an unusual incident occurred near Wisełka. The sea washed ashore the body of a 15-meter whale that had previously been sunk in Pomeranian Bay. The discovery caused concern among sanitary-epidemiological services, which are now monitoring the situation at nearby bathing areas along the Baltic coast.

Where did the whale come from on the Polish coast?

As early as July 25, the Polish Press Agency reported that a tanker had brought a dead whale to the port of Świnoujście. The whale had most likely been impaled on the ship’s bow and slipped off during maneuvering.

According to Ewa Wieczorek, spokesperson for the Maritime Office in Szczecin, the 12-ton whale’s body was already in such an advanced state of decomposition at that time that genetic tests necessary to determine the species could not be carried out. After eight days, it was transported several miles offshore and sunk with special anchoring, with the consent of the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Szczecin.

Unfortunately, due to sea currents and high waves on the Baltic, the dead whale resurfaced and was washed ashore in Wisełka, within the protected coastal zone of Wolin National Park.

Beach in Wisełka closed

The park’s management announced that the whale is in a very advanced state of decomposition. Due to the potential epidemiological risk, the area around it has been fenced off and access to the section of beach in Wisełka is prohibited. This area lies within Wolin National Park, and therefore no bathing areas have been designated there.

Despite the obvious curiosity the event attracts, park authorities urge visitors to respect the fence and not approach the dead animal. A strong, unpleasant odor typical of the decomposition of such a large mammal spreads throughout the area. By itself, it poses no threat to visitors. The remaining stretches of the coast and park trails remain open.

Does the dead whale pose a risk to Baltic Sea water?

Inspectors from the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station (PSSE) in Kamień Pomorski collected water samples near the Wisełka beach. The samples were tested for the presence of fecal bacteria in accordance with regulations applicable in such cases, and the results are expected later today.

The situation at nearby bathing sites is also being monitored. On Tuesday, bathing was banned in Dziwnów and Dziwnów Przymorze, but this had nothing to do with the decomposing carcass – cyanobacterial blooms had been detected in the water. Currently, the Bathing Service of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate reports that the water is suitable for bathing at the nearest beaches to Wisełka, in Międzyzdroje and Międzywodzie.

What’s next for the unlucky whale?

According to a press release from Wolin National Park, another attempt to remove the whale’s remains from the beach will be made in the coming days. The park’s management assures that the work will be carried out in a way that minimizes negative impacts on the natural environment and the valuable species of Wolin’s coastline. This time, sinking is not planned; instead, the animal’s remains will be disposed of.

According to scientists from the University of California, around 20,000 whales worldwide die each year as a result of collisions with ships. Most of the victims are large whales, such as humpbacks or fin whales, whose migration routes intersect with major shipping lanes. The International Marine Mammal Project believes that many of these tragedies could be avoided by reducing vessel speeds.