Outrage at scientist's 'appalling' photo with great white shark

Science or selfie? Photo / Facebook

When marine biologist Giancarlo Thomae uploaded a photo to Facebook of his colleague posing next to a dead great white shark, he did not expect the outrage the picture would ensue.

The woman posing with the carcass has been inundated with abusive comments after her photo next to the animal in Santa Cruz, California.

Thomae posted the picture of his colleague next to the 2.6 metre carcass and insisted it was for "science" but many believe it was a disrespectful selfie.

"This could not be more messed up … A dead shark is not a photo op," a Facebook user commented when the photo was shared by a US TV station.

"This was once a living being and it's just ok to lay next to it smiling? This is appalling," someone else said.

"Taking selfies really? Have some Effing RESPECT! Don't care if she's a 'scientist' it's tasteless," another Facebook user chimed in.

Thomae was quick to explain that, while he appreciates people's care for wildlife, the photo did not mean to "offend anyone" and was simply taken as the scientists needed "scale for reference".

A woman at the scene also praised the woman posing with the great white, saying she was the one who rolled the animal 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.