KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) says the whale carcass which washed ashore in Salt Marsh, Trelawny, on Friday, has been removed.

According to NEPA, in a press release on Monday, the removal operation was conducted by boat captains and crews contracted by the agency. It said the intervention was undertaken to remove the carcass from the vicinity of the shoreline and reduce the potential for interactions between members of the public and sharks or other marine scavengers attracted to the remains.

“Following the operation, the contracted captains conducted a follow-up check of the area for any residual whale remains. They reported that no remains were visible at the surface at the time of their inspection,” NEPA said.

Although the removal operation has been completed, NEPA is advising members of the public to continue exercising caution and to observe the precautionary measures outlined in the agency’s earlier advisory until further guidance is provided.

“Persons should avoid entering the affected waters and should not approach, feed, provoke, throw objects at, or otherwise interfere with marine wildlife. Members of the public are also reminded that marine wildlife, including sharks and marine mammals, should be observed from a safe distance and should not be handled or disturbed,” NEPA said.

The agency urged members of the public to report any subsequent sighting of a marine mammal carcass or associated remains near the coastline to the agency, providing the location and photographs, where these can be obtained safely.

It said members of the public should not attempt to handle, move or otherwise relocate any remains.

READ: NEPA urges caution as sharks feed on whale carcass in Salt Marsh