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There was great excitement over the weekend in Ijaw-Kiri, a fishing community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The reason being that residents found a dead whale washed ashore.
They immediately rushed home to bring axes, knives and cutlasses, butchering the huge fish, which experts say is an endangered species.
Neighbouring communities of Odioma and Okpoama also rushed to the shore to partake in the feast.
Some stood atop the massive creature, cutting its flesh. The water turned red as blood flowed from the whale’s body. A man reportedly came with a saw.
Some community members frowned on the feasting on dead aquatic animals without the knowledge of what killed it; while others believed it was God-sent.
One of those at the scene, who identified himself as Shadrack, said: “The fish I was eating was not too big. I then complained to God and He promised I would eat a bigger fish soon. God sent this overgrown whale to a city in Nigeria that is in the middle of the sea. My sister said she was tired of eating the big blue whale and I told her to bring the oil that was extracted from it to me. Early part of last month, I remember that some fishermen from Odioma in Brass caught a dolphin.”
A social media commentator, Akinola Ajibade, blamed it on hunger while others insisted it was a meal from God.
“This sea creature was washed ashore. It was not killed. This happens once in a while in the oceanic communities of Brass Local Government Area. I have had the privilege of seeing whales being washed ashore and natives helping themselves,” said Ambrose Alfred.
But Ibarakumo Walson warned people against eating dead creatures they could not establish their cause of death.
“In the past, Ijaw communities dragged such floating fishes and animals into their homes only to be infested with cholera and other strange ailments. It is really absurd to see people trying to eat something, whose cause of death isn’t known. Who knows if the whale has been poisoned,” he said.
Meanwhile, experts have however warned that whales are particularly vulnerable to environmental contaminants and heavy metals, and that their flesh is unhealthy for human consumption.
Sources from Humane Society; U.S. Whales gave seven reasons why eating whale flesh is dangerous to health.
According to experts, “Environmental contaminants such as pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) tend to accumulate in the bodies of sea mammals such as whales. Eating a fish as contaminated as this means you’re exposing yourself to poison.
“The contaminants in the whale meat and blubber (fat) increase the consumers’ risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis.
“Unborn babies who are exposed to methyl mercury in seafood such as whale meat risk developing cognitive deficiencies such as delays in all areas of development, including language and walking; inability to take to toilet training, development of heart defects, abnormal brain development, etc.
“Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) usually found in whale flesh can cause nerve damage, reproductive and developmental disorders, immune system suppression, liver damage, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption.
“Eating whale meat can expose you to Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, and this can lead to certain cancer risks, or expose you to neurological disorders such as back pain, cluster or tension headaches, seizures, stroke, etc.
“Mothers who eat whale meat while pregnant or breastfeeding expose their unborn and lactating babies to risks of developmental disorders and other health problems.
“Because most waters where whales live are polluted, poisons are known to concentrate in their tissues. Therefore, regardless of the amount, the consumption of whale meat can expose humans to dangerous contaminants,” they said.