Whale carcass on Kailua-Kona draws marine life but poses danger
A whale carcass was discovered off the coast of Kailua-Kona, attracting a variety of marine wildlife eager to feed on the rich source of food. The carcass was found about 10 miles off Kailua-Kona's coast and is attracting fish from various parts of the ocean.
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Over on Hawaii Island, a whale carcass was spotted off the coast of Kailua-Kona.
It drew in all kinds of marine life to feast on it.
Our Gil Cano spent the day talking to State Department and the fishermen who found the
carcass and Gil, that actually came as a shock.
That fisherman said it all started at 6 a.m. on Thursday.
It was when he felt several of his fishing lines had caught something.
He knew something was up.
James Shade from the boat Vicious Cycle says he was the only one awake on his boat Thursday
when he found the dead sperm whale.
I was on it.
I smelled it.
I smelled something strange and I knew already that something was going on and I looked over
my shoulder and probably 20 yards off our port side was the whale.
It was incredible.
And all these fish and sharks just started to rush to the back of the boat the closer
we got to the whale.
It was a really incredible sight.
It was like National Geographic.
The carcass attracted fish from all walks, or should we say swims, of marine life.
He found it about 10 miles off the Kailua-Konas coast.
Marine life inside of the green line of this map likely sensed the whale carcass first.
Then the ocean currents spread that scent out as time went on.
As for what will happen to the carcass, State Departments say they want to let nature run
its course.
The plan was to leave the kanalua in place and allow the bigger kanalua nuiakea, all
of the shark people, to come and do what they naturally do.
They know the feeding is a beautiful spectacle, but are reminding it's not a safe area right
now.
This is an active feeding zone for our shark people.
And you do not want to be a pupu or an appetizer in that feeding fenzy.
So we want to ensure that people are being safe.
Kia'i Kanalua says the sperm whale is far too decomposed for an accurate investigation
to how it died.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources reminds you sperm whales, even dead ones,
are protected under marine law.
Removing any parts of the carcass is considered a federal offense.
Gil Cano, Island News.