Its head alone was over 16ft in length and around 8ft wide
14:55, 05 Sep 2025Updated 15:08, 05 Sep 2025
What was left of the whale’s enormous head.(Image: Marine Environmental Monitoring.)
The remains of an enormous sea creature whicch washed up on the Welsh coast this week has been formally identified by marine experts.
Researchers from ocean watchdog Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM) determined the carcass – which washed up on Cefn Sidan sands in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, on Wednesday morning – to be that of a “very large” fin whale.
Cefn Sidan, one of Wales’ longest beaches, is a regular spot for walkers, families, and tourists.
Second only in size to the blue whale, this week’s discovery is the fourth confirmed report of a fin whale washing up in the country this century.
The most recent report was that of a 41ft (12.5m) calf fin whale who died two days after stranding in the Dee Estuary, Flintshire, in June 2020.
Initial assessments indicate the fin whale at Cefn Sidan was that of a female and suggest its size was almost 70ft (21m).
Staff from MEM were astounded by its size when they visited the beach on Thursday.
Its head alone was over 16ft (5m) in length and around 8ft (2.5m) wide.
One of the whale’s jaw bones.(Image: Marine Environmental Monitoring.)
In an update, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “Unfortunately, it had been dead for some time and as a result was in a bad state of decomposition.
“We believe that this one is a female but due to the state of decomposition we couldn’t confirm this,” they added.
“We have taken several samples from the whale which will be tested for various things including contaminates and to carry out genetics.”
While the creature’s arrival has caused a stir in the community, it may also offer scientists crucial insights into the health of marine life in the area.
As reported by Andrew Forgrave at NorthWalesLive, whales stranded on the Welsh coast have often been found to be malnourished or affected by pollution such as plastic waste.
Marine experts say fin whales are increasingly returning to Welsh waters.
Remains of a fin.(Image: Marine Environmental Monitoring.)
Research by the Sea Trust indicate pods are now swimming off the Pembrokeshire coast each year.
Wednesday’s discovery was the second of the week involving a whale.
On Monday, September 1, a long-finned pilot whale was found on Rhossili Bay beach on the Gower peninsula.
It was still alive.
Members of public tried to get the whale back to the sea but it was too heavy and they were unable to move it.
Coastguards and volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were alerted but the animal died before they got there.
The carcass was recovered for the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP), and a full post-mortem will be carried out.
MEM is urging people to report stranded marine animals to CSIP on 0800 652 0333.
Select option 1 if the animal is still alive (this directs you to BDMLR). Otherwise select option 2 and follow the instructions.