Sharks Feast on Whale Carcass Towed Out to Sea in Florida

In a tragic incident, the carcass of a whale that beached itself in Venice, Florida, was towed back out to sea this week, where it became a feast for sharks. The owner of a marine assistance company, Capt. Craig Marcum, captured video of the sharks feeding on the leviathan after it was towed out to sea.

Initial Beaching and Rescue Efforts

The distressing incident began last weekend when a whale stranded itself off the coast of Venice, Florida. Capt. Craig Marcum, owner of Sea Tow Venice, rushed to the beach upon receiving an alert about the stranded whale. He described the rough sea conditions, with waves three to four feet high, breaking right at the whale on the sandbar.

Despite feeling "helpless" during the initial beaching, Marcum's company, Sea Tow Venice, worked in coordination with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office to tow the deceased whale 15 miles off the Gulf Coast during the next high tide on Tuesday. The following day, they returned to ensure the carcass was undisturbed and not washing back ashore.

Shark Feeding Frenzy

On their return to the carcass, Marcum and his team were greeted by a surprising and daunting sight. They observed "multiple tiger sharks feeding on the carcass" just off the coast of Venice, Florida.

Necropsy and Professionalism

The Mote Marine Laboratory, in charge of the beaching incident and subsequent necropsy, demonstrated remarkable professionalism and respect for the whale during their handling of the situation. Capt. Marcum expressed his admiration for the laboratory's team, likening their necropsy performance to that of a skilled surgeon.

Reflections on the Outcome

Despite the tragic nature of the incident, taking the whale back to the water after its passing was deemed the "best possible" outcome by Capt. Craig Marcum. This decision allowed the cycle of life to complete itself, providing sustenance for countless marine creatures.

Ultimately, the whale's journey from beaching to being towed out to sea serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between mankind and the natural world, as well as the profound impact of such events on the ecosystem.