News & Alerts

Update on 5 June at 1:00pm

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for the area of coast up to two kilometres north and south of Guillotine surfing spot - bounded by Mt Whaleback in the south and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north - due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains at Guillotine, north of Gracetown.

The closure includes the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea. This means beaches and waters in this area cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The decomposing carcass may continue to act as an attractant to sharks

Beach closure signs remain in place.

The closure will continue for a month, until 1pm on Wednesday 3 July 2019. A further review will be conducted ahead of that time.

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

Update on 8 May at 2:50pm

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for the area of coast up to two kilometres north and south of Guillotine surfing spot - bounded by Mt Whaleback in the south and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north - due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains at Guillotine, north of Gracetown.

The closure includes the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea. This means beaches and waters in this area cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The decomposing carcass may continue to act as an attractant to sharks

Beach closure signs remain in place.

The closure will continue for a month, until 1pm on Wednesday 5 June 2019. A further review will be conducted ahead of that time.

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

Update on 29 April at 11:50am

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for the area of coast up to two kilometres north and south of Guillotine surfing spot - bounded by Mt Whaleback in the south and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north - due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains at Guillotine, north of Gracetown.

The closure includes the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea. This means beaches and waters in this area cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The decomposing carcass may continue to act as an attractant to sharks

Beach closure signs remain in place.

The closure will continue for a month, until 6pm on Wednesday 29 May 2019. A further review will be conducted ahead of that time.

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

Update on 4 April at 10am

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for the area of coast up to two kilometres north and south of Guillotine surfing spot - bounded by Mt Whaleback in the south and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north - due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains at Guillotine, north of Gracetown.

The closure includes the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea. This means beaches and waters in this area cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The decomposing carcass may continue to act as an attractant to sharks

Beach closure signs remain in place.

The closure will continue for a month, until 1pm on Thursday 2 May 2019. A further review will be conducted ahead of that time.

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

Update on 5 March at 3.10pm

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for the area of coast up to two kilometres north and south of Guillotine surfing spot - bounded by Mt Whaleback in the south and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north - due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains at Guillotine, north of Gracetown.

The closure includes the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea. This means beaches and waters in this area cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The decomposing carcass may continue to act as an attractant to sharks

Beach closure signs remain in place.

The closure will continue for a month, until 6pm on Friday 5 April 2019. A further review will be conducted ahead of that time.

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

Update on 25 February at 2.30pm

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for the area of coast up to two kilometres north and south of Guillotine surfing spot – bounded by Mt Whaleback in the south and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north - due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains at Guillotine, North of Gracetown.

The closure includes the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea. This means beaches and waters in this area cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The decomposing carcass may continue to act as an attractant to sharks

Beach closure signs remain in place.

The closure will remain in force at least until 1pm on Tuesday 5 March 2019, when a further review will be conducted.

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

Update on 18 February at 2.35pm

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for the area of coast up to two kilometres north and south of Guillotine surfing spot – bounded by Mt Whaleback in the south and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north - due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains at Guillotine, North of Gracetown.

The closure includes the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea. This means beaches and waters in this area cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The decomposing carcass may continue to act as an attractant to sharks

Beach closure signs remain in place.

The closure will remain in force at least until 1pm on Monday 25 February 2019, when a further review will be conducted.

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

Update on 11 February at 3.45pm

A Regulation 44 beach closure is now in effect, closing the coast up to two kilometres north and south of Guillotine – bounded by Mt Whaleback in the south and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north.

The new Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions closure includes the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea. This means beaches and waters in this area cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

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

Alert issued on 11 February

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported approximately 200 metres south of Guillotine surf break, which is approximately three kilometres north of Gracetown.

Situation:

• Officers from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions have completed the assessment of the whale carcass at Guillotine surf break and have identified it as a 12 metre long Humpback Whale.
• The carcass is in the advanced stages of decay, indicating it has been at sea for an extended period.
• Beach closed signs have now been erected at Guillotine surf break.
• Rangers are currently on site and are making a further assessment of accessibility at this location, which is known for its steep fringing limestone cliffs.
• It is possible the carcass may 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 while authorities deal with this situation.

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Guillotine Surf Break 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: 
Beach areas adjacent to the whale carcass have been closed. Beach closures may extend following consideration by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

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.