News & Alerts

Update on 22nd June 2021 at 2:59pm

The City of Albany have reopened Nanarup Beach.

The whale carcass is no longer on the beach and is believed to have been washed offshore during recent storms. 

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

Update on 19th June 2021 at 11:11

The City of Albany have closed Nanarup Beach for the safety of water users. Once the whale carcass has been removed the beach will be reopened. At this stage it is unknown when this will be.

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.

 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 19th June 2021 at 9:45am

The whale carcass has now made landfall onto Nanarup Beach, east of Taylor Inlet. 

Officers from the City of Albany and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are monitoring the situation.

DPIRD are currently conducting white shark tagging operations in the area. 

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.

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 18th June 2021 at 2:45pm

Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have located the whale carcass 1km offshore from Nanarup Beach east of Albany.  

DPIRD are currently conducting white shark tagging operations in the area. 

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.

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 17th June 2021

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported at Nanarup Beach east of Albany. 

Situation:

• The whale carcass was reported by a member of the public at 2:32pm.
• The whale carcass is currently 250 metres offshore east of Taylor Inlet. 
• Multiple sharks have been reported swimming in close proximity to the carcass.  
• 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 Nanarup Beach area.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers or Surf Life Saving WA.
• 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: 

Officers from the Shire of Albany are attending Nanarup beach to monitor the situation.  

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 updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.