Councils in North Yorkshire are considering sustainable replacement options for the town’s historic whalebone arch.
The landmark in Whitby town was first installed in 1853 and its current form is built from Bowhead whale bones that were lawfully hunted by indigenous Inuit groups from Barrow, Alaska, the sister town of Whitby.
After having been replaced in 1963 and 2003, the landmark is deteriorating and requires another refresh.
North Yorkshire Council is considering multiple options for the replacement, including the use of manufactured replicas or sourcing remains from whales that have died naturally.
However, local conservation groups are said to have opposed the idea of rebuilding the structure using authentic whale remains and argued that it would be inappropriate to present them in a display.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for harbours, Cllr Mark Crane, said: ‘We strongly believe using a replica would be more sustainable, durable and ethical and have made our position on this clear.’
He added: ‘Obviously even if real bones were to be used, they would come from a whale that has died naturally.’
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