Scientist slammed for 'appalling' photo with great white shark

A woman has been inundated with abusive comments after she posed next to a dead great white shark that washed up on a California beach.

Marine biologist Giancarlo Thomae, who snapped the photo of his female colleague lying next to the 2.6 metre carcass on the beach near Santa Cruz insisted it was for “science” rather than social media – but that did little to deter angry Facebook users.

“This could not be more messed up … A dead shark is not a photo op,” wrote one person.

“This was once a living being and it’s just ok to lay next to it smiling? This is appalling,” read another comment.

“Taking selfies really? Have some Effing RESPECT! Don’t care if she’s a ‘scientist’ it’s tasteless,” read another comment.

However, one woman who was on the scene praised the woman in the photo, saying she rolled the shark up the beach so it would not be washed away.

“The woman in the photo was instrumental today getting the shark to the lab. She got the truck , took the measurements etc… let some scientist have a joyful moment for God sake. It is not human. She showed the shark the upmost respect,” she wrote in response to the abusive comments.

Mr Thomae reiterated the witness’s comments, saying the photo wasn’t taken for fun and apologised for anyone who was upset by it.

“As a biologist and a nature-lover, it makes me happy that people care so much about wildlife,” Thomae said.

“I’m sorry if my photo offended anyone, but we just needed scale for reference.”