Dead sting-ray found at Barney Pt

A dead stingray was found washed up at Barney Point over the weekend.

Emily Blatchford

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ANOTHER dead animal has been added to Gladstone’s list of mystery marine deaths, with a sting-ray washing up over the weekend at Barney Point.

Lorraine Clifford was taking her two grandsons for a walk along the Esplanade on Saturday when three-year-old Thomas Handley spotted the dead ray.

“At first we were unsure whether it was dead or not. It had a very big stinger and we didn’t want to get too close, just in case. But its wings looked curled and it seemed a bit limp. It looked a lot fresher than it does now. Obviously being out in the sun over the weekend has dried it up,” she said.

 “I would guess that it washed up sometime on Saturday.”

Ms Clifford’s daughter, Chantal Handley, who went to look at the dead animal the next day, expressed concern over the number of mysterious marine deaths in Gladstone recently.

“It’s disgusting. I’d like to know what’s going on,” she said. “I find it quite upsetting. I know there’s a lot of speculation as to what’s causing it to happen, but whatever or whoever it is, it’s serious.”

“It’s not going to go away. Things are going to keep on washing up. Something needs be done about it.”

A Fisheries Queensland spokesperson said the cause of death of the sting-ray found washed up at Barney Point is unknown, but did not entertain commercial fishing as a possible cause.

“The death of the stingray is unlikely to be due to commercial fishing as the Port of Gladstone and the Narrows is closed to commercial netting on weekends,” the spokesperson said.

THE TALLY SO FAR...

* Three dead dolphins were found in Gladstone Harbour in May, within two weeks of each other. 

* Four dead dugongs have been found dead in the harbour since May

* Over 40 turtles have washed up dead in the harbour since April.