by
Allyson Chiu


Guam - A closed door meeting was held today in order to discuss the different ways to remove the dead baleen whale that washed ashore in Agat this past weekend.


Many government agencies were present at the meeting including the Department of Agriculture, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Public Health, GHURA, the Agat Mayor's Office, Civil Defense, and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.


According to Agat mayor Carol Tayama, a plan of action has not been decided yet because removal efforts may require funding for the use of a tugboat or other heavy machinery. The options were presented to the lieutenant governor and a decision will be made sometime during the next few days.


In the meantime, people are strongly advised to stay away from the decaying carcass because it may be carrying various contractible diseases. Therefore, fishing in the waters near the whale is also discouraged as the water may be contaminated.