Additional caution urged for water users in the Bunbury area

23 March 2015

Department of Fisheries is advising water users in the Bunbury area to exercise additional caution after the stranding of a number of long-finned pilot whales in the Bunbury Harbour vicinity today.

A number of the whales have died and others appear injured.

It is possible that whales and whale carcasses may act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming close in to shore along this stretch of coast.

While it is not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Western Australian coast throughout the year, people should exercise additional caution and report any shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Advice is that water users should:

• Take additional caution in the Bunbury area

• Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the Shark Activity Map on the SharkSmart website – www.sharksmart.com.au, or the Surf Life Saving Twitter – twitter.com/SLSWA

• Report any shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600.

• Adhere to any beach closures advised by your Local Government Rangers or Surf Life Saving WA.

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