Whitby Whale Bone Replacement Faces 'Nightmare' Logistics and Ethical Hurdles

Whitby’s iconic Whale Bone Arch, a beloved sight overlooking Whitby Abbey, is deteriorating, prompting urgent action from local authorities, though efforts to secure a replacement set are proving highly challenging due to complex international and ethical obstacles.

The future of one of the town’s “most enjoyed landmarks” is under close scrutiny. Concerns regarding the poor condition and pressing need for maintenance were raised publicly last September, a situation acknowledged by Whitby town councillors.

In response to the mounting pressure, Whitby Town Council formally requested North Yorkshire Council (NYC) to investigate the landmark’s future. Councillor Liz Colling, chair of North Yorkshire Council’s Scarborough and Whitby area committee, outlined the request and the council’s commitment.

"In June 25, Whitby Town Council formally asked North Yorkshire Council to undertake urgent investigations to the future of the well bones in Whitby and provided costed options for replacement, refurbishment, protection, alternatives, e.g. a replica replacement.

North Yorkshire Council takes any formal request seriously and Whitby Town Council can be assured that the request is being progressed."

International Search and Delays

The council has assigned Chris Bourne, head of harbours and coastal infrastructure for North Yorkshire Council, to lead the demanding investigation. Mr Bourne is familiar with the process, having dealt with procuring the existing bones roughly twenty-five years ago.

However, the international search for suitable replacements is proving to be a highly difficult task, resulting in frustrating delays. Councillor Colling described the complexity of communicating with potential sources:

"Chris Bourne is on the case. He's talking to Alaska. He's talking to carriers. He's talking to other countries that may have whale bones available.

The logistics are a nightmare and people are not getting back to him, hence the delay.

He's waiting for people to come back. I don't think there's a time delay in emailing Alaska, but there is a time delay in Alaska coming back to him."

Mr Bourne is "in communication with the mayor’s office in Anchorage, Alaska about this". The existing arch, replaced in 2002, originated from Whitby’s twin town of Barrow in Alaska, sourced from a whale legally killed by native Inuit in 1996. Alaskan authorities are currently attempting to connect with those previously involved at North Slope Borough (Barrow). NYC has also sent email requests to "other countries," but, according to Mr Bourne, they have yet to receive a response.

Logistical and Legal Hurdles

Even if a suitable whale could be sourced, the journey for a replacement arch would be fraught with logistical complications, described by the council as a "nightmare".

The council explained that any available bones would likely be found in a "very remote location on the Arctic iceshelf". This necessitates not only the willingness of local residents to recover the bones but also to move them to a suitable location. Furthermore, the bones would require thorough cleaning before any logistics company would agree to carry them on an aircraft.

According to NYC, the "biggest hurdle" involves securing the correct legal permissions to import the bones into the UK. The species, Balaena Mystecitus, is protected under CITES regulations. This protection led to a "lengthy, time-consuming process" the last time the bones were replaced.

A Changing Social Landscape

Beyond the physical and legal challenges, ethical considerations are also shaping the discussion about the arch’s future.

The council noted that there is greater global concern about hunting, making the display of real whale bones "somewhat less socially acceptable". The connotations of displaying real bones must be taken into account.

As a result of these difficulties and shifting social attitudes, Whitby Town Council has been advised to explore alternatives. The use of imitation whale bones, potentially accompanied by an information board, has been suggested as an option that would "now be more fitting". The council's formal request included providing costed options for alternatives, such as a replica replacement.