Rotting whale carcass washes ashore on Martha's Vineyard

EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) — Officials in Massachusetts say they plan to remove a heavily decomposed 50- to 60-foot long whale carcass that washed ashore on Martha's Vineyard.

Edgartown Harbormaster Charlie Blair saID the whale washed up on South Beach early Monday morning. It's not clear exactly how long it's been dead.

Blair said the whale has been moving east with the water. The area has been roped off to keep the public away due to health hazards.

Town police Sgt. Joel DeRoche said plans are in the works to hire a private contractor and tow the carcass out to sea. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation will be involved in the removal.