CLAIMS that people were chopping off the tails of stingrays to avenge the death of Steve Irwin were ridiculous, says Sunfish chairman Bill Turner.

The Primary Industries Department is investigating the deaths of about 10 stingrays in the past two days, each found dead with the tails removed.

Most were found on Dundowran Beach, near Hervey Bay on Monday and yesterday two were found at Deception Bay.

Mr Turner said anglers had always cut tails off stingrays to avoid being stung.

"To tie this into what happened with Steve is just ridiculous," he said. "I've been seeing this for the 50 years that I've been fishing."

Irwin, 44, died last week from a stingray barb in the heart while snorkelling off Port Douglas.

Irwin memorial service

Originally published as Stingray deaths under investigation