Rahui placed on whale stranding beach

KAY BLUNDELL

Last updated 15:19 18/01/2013

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A rahui has been placed on Paraparaumu Beach where a stranded whale died earlier this week.

The rahui prohibits gathering fish or shellfish in the area where the elderly male sperm whale lay on the beach, to protect people and the environment.

A karakia by local kaumatua has put a rahui in place for the next week.

Iwi removed the jaw from the whale on Wednesday night, sparking concern from onlookers seeing blood and tissue flow into the water.

Kapiti Coast District Council has put up hazard signs advising the public not to swim in the area because of possible microbiological contamination of the sea from discharge of blood and bodily fluids after the jaw was removed.

Water samples have been taken from the sea near where the whale lay in front of Kapiti Boating Club to check compliance with recreational water guidelines, that are based on bacterial count in the water. The warning is likely to stay in place as along as the rahui.

The whale has been buried in a non-public area at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Contact Kay Blundell
Kapiti reporter
Email: kay.blundell@dompost.co.nz