News & Alerts

Update on 10th October 2020 9:42am

The Shire of Capel have now removed the whale carcass from Peppermint Grove Beach Bunbury

Peppermint Grove Beach will remain closed to the Public until Monday 12th October 2020.

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 9th October 2020 at 3:05pm: 

The Whale Carcass at Peppermint Grove Beach, Shire of Capel has now reached landfall and is located approximately 100 meters to the south of BEN sign CP203.

Fisheries officers from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), along with Rangers from the Shire of Capel and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) are currently on site.

The Shire of Capel are commencing removal of the carcass. 

The Peppermint Grove Beach Bunbury remains closed to the public.

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 8th October 2020

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass reported to be 1 kilometre off shore from Peppermint Grove Beach in the Shire of Capel.

Situation:

• The whale carcass was reported by the Surf Life Saving helicopter at 2:40pm
• A 4.5 metre white shark has been reported in the vicinity of the whale carcass. 
• It is possible the decomposing carcass will continue to act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming close 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 in the Peppermint Grove Beach area. 

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Peppermint Grove Beach area.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Shire of Capel Rangers
• 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: 

Fisheries officers from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), along with Rangers from the Shire of Capel and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) are monitoring the situation and providing advice to relevant authorities.

The Shire of Capel has closed the Peppermint Grove beach for the safety of water users. The beach closures will remain in place until further assessment of the situation can be made by authorities.   

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.