EDGARTOWN, Mass. (WWLP-AP) – The badly-decomposed body of a whale that washed ashore on a popular Martha’s Vineyard beach will soon be towed out to sea.

The whale was found on the left fork of South Beach in Edgartown Monday morning. Beach-goers were advised not to swim in the area, due to the risk of disease, and that that the carcass would attract sharks.

Dead whale washed ashore at Martha’s Vineyard beach

Edgartown Harbormaster Charlie Blair said that the whale has been moving eastward with the water.

A private contractor is being hired to haul the whale back out to sea, something that the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will also be involved in.

It is not clear just how long the whale has been dead.

Dead whale on South Beach in Edgartown, Mass. Image Courtesy: Ray Ewing, Vineyard Gazette