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

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is advising members of the public to exercise caution and avoid entering the water in the Salt Marsh area of Trelawny after sharks were seen feeding on a whale carcass that washed ashore on Friday.

NEPA said the presence of sharks and marine mammals in Jamaican waters is a natural occurrence and that the feeding activity is also part of the marine ecosystem’s natural process and does not, by itself, suggest an unusual environmental event.

Sharks play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems as both predators and scavengers. By consuming dead or weakened animals, they help remove organic matter, recycle nutrients and support the balance of ocean environments.

NEPA noted that the reddish colouration observed in the water is likely linked to blood and tissue released during feeding and should not automatically be considered a sign of pollution.

Members of the public are being urged to stay out of the water, keep children and pets away from the shoreline, and avoid touching, disturbing or attempting to remove the carcass. Individuals should also refrain from feeding, capturing, provoking or attempting to move the sharks, and should observe the animals only from a safe distance.

NEPA also advised against approaching the area with boats or surrounding the animals, as the carcass may continue to attract sharks and other scavengers even after visible feeding activity has ended.

Swimming, fishing and other recreational activities in the immediate area should be avoided until authorities advise that it is safe to return.

NEPA said encounters like this provide an opportunity to better understand the role of marine wildlife and how ocean ecosystems function.