News & Alerts

Update on 14 April at 4:25pm

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conversation and Attractions have inspected a second whale carcass at Eagles Nest Beach in Quarram Nature Reserve, within the Shire of Denmark.

The small whale carcass is in the same vicinity along the beach and cannot be removed.

Additional caution is recommended by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as the decomposing whale carcass may attract sharks to the area. 

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter. 

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. 

Update on 9 April at 5:45pm

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have successfully removed the whale carcass from Eagles Nest Beach in Quarram Nature Reserve, within the Shire of Denmark.

Additional caution is recommended by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, as any residue from where the whale carcass was beached may still attract sharks to the area. 

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter. 

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. 

Alert issued on 8 April

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a dwarf pygmy sperm whale carcass being reported at Eagles Nest Beach in Quarram Nature Reserve, within the Shire of Denmark.

Situation:

• The whale carcass was reported by Parks and Wildlife Service officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions at 1.30pm
• 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.

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Eagles Nest Beach area.
• Use your Sea Sense and stay informed by checking for shark activity on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app 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 land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed.

What authorities are doing: 

DBCA officers are monitoring the situation and plan to remove the carcass tomorrow morning.

Extra information: 

Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website – www.sharksmart.com.au/shark-activity, download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – twitter.com/SLSWA. Check www.sharksmart.com.au/news  for current alerts and warnings.