Since the whale was located above the high water mark, the Town of Shelburne was responsible for removing the carcass. The whale, with the department’s permission, was towed out to deeper waters Nov. 7.

In the meantime, a Department of Fisheries and Oceans biologist wasn’t able to visit the site.

A spokesperson for the department said, therefore, no official remarks can be made.

The whale was 43 feet long and is possibly a Finback, not a Minke as first thought. Minke whales generally don’t grow larger than 30 feet.

Another identifying factor involved the dorsal fin, which is closer to the tail on a Finback than a Minke.

Fisheries officials also believe, but can’t say for certain without an autopsy, the whale was struck by a vessel.

The markings and bleeding seen on the whale’s back were clues.

Most whales avoid vessels when they hear their engines.

The exception is the endangered Right whale, which is sometimes too slow to get out of harms way.

The Finback isn’t an official endangered species.