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Shark ADVICE for a whale carcass at Lefthanders near Gracetown
16 April 2018Update on 16 April at 4.25pm:
Officers from Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) have assessed the whale and deemed today's weather conditions unfavourable for its removal .
Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are currently assisting DBCA in developing a plan with a view to attempting a removal, as soon as weather conditions permit.
Surfers, divers and swimmers are advised to say out of the water in the Gracetown area, between North Point and Ellensbrook.
Alert issued on 16 April 2018:
Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported at Lefthanders near Gracetown in the Shire of Margaret River.
Situation:
- The whale carcass was reported by a member of the public at 9.30 this morning.
- The carcass was reported just South of Lefthanders on the beach.
- It is possible the decomposing carcass will continue to act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming close in to shore along this stretch of coast.
- While it’s not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Western Australian coast throughout the year, people should exercise additional caution until the whale carcass is removed.
- Beach closures are in place.
What to do:
- Take additional caution in the Cowaramup Bay area.
- Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers or Surf Life Saving WA.
- Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the SharkSmart website or Surf Life Saving WA’s Twitter feed.
- If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to response agencies and to the public on the SharkSmart website and the Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed.
What authorities are doing:
Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions are attending the area and preparing beach closure signage. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has closed the beach for the safety of water users.
Once the whale carcass has been removed, a further advice will be issued on the status of the beach closure. At this stage it is unknown when this will be.
Fisheries officers have been deployed to conduct on-water patrols in the area.
Extra information:
Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the Shark Activity Map on the SharkSmart website – www.sharksmart.com.au/shark-activity or the Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – twitter.com/SLSWA.
Check www.sharksmart.com.au/news for current alerts and warnings.