Whale Meat Again
The
carcass of a dead whale attracted more than hungry sharks. Local boat operators
took advantage of the macabre spectacle and ferried dozens of curious customers
to the floating feast near Cape Jervis, 100 kilometres south of Adelaide.
As
great white sharks ripped hunks of flesh from the gigantic dead mammal,
spectators took leave of their senses and reached into the water to pet their
snouts. Some even climbed onto the back of the floating meal, one carrying his
child for a closer look at the feeding frenzy.
"These
creatures are not toys," said Environment Minister Iain Evans. "I am
shocked at [their] disrespect for their own safety." He added that the
government would "look at changing the law in order to protect people too
stupid to protect themselves."
People
are already forbidden from approaching living whales. Authorities plan to extend
the 100-meter exclusion zone to dead whales, to save the gawkers from
themselves.
Marine
officials say the southern right whale died from natural causes.