News & Alerts

Update 2.50pm, 19 July 2018

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for Redgate Beach.

The closure will remain in force at least until 6pm on Thursday 26 July 2018, when a further review will be conducted.

The closure applies to the area between Redgate Beach Carpark and the whole of Redgate Beach due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains in this area.

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

The closure is in place 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.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update 1.40pm, 12 July 2018

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for Redgate Beach.

The closure will remain in force until at least 6pm on Thursday 19 July 2018, when a further review will be conducted.

The closure applies to the area between Redgate Beach Carpark and the whole of Redgate Beach due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains in this area.

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

The closure is in place 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.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update 3.40pm, 5 July 2018

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for Redgate Beach.

The closure will remain in force until at least 6pm on Thursday 12 July 2018, when a further review will be conducted.

The closure applies to the area between Redgate Beach Carpark and the whole of Redgate Beach due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains in this area.

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

The closure is in place 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.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update 1.45pm, 28 June 2018

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for Redgate Beach.

The closure will remain in force until at least 6pm on Thursday 5 July 2018, when a further review will be conducted.

The closure applies to the area between Redgate Beach Carpark and the whole of Redgate Beach due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains in this area.

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

The closure is in place 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.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update 10am, 21 June 2018

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for Redgate Beach. The closure will remain in force until at least 6pm on Thursday 28 June 2018, when a further review will be conducted.

The closure applies to the area between Redgate Beach Carpark and the whole of Redgate Beach due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains in this area.

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

The closure is in place 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.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update 4.15pm, 14 June 2018

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for Redgate Beach. The closure will remain in force until at least 6pm on Thursday 21 June 2018, when a further review will be conducted.

The closure applies to the area between Redgate Beach Carpark and the whole of Redgate Beach due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains in this area.

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

The closure is in place 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.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update 10.50am on 8 June 2018 

Redgate

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closure for Redgate Beach. The closure will remain in force until at least 6pm on Thursday 14 June 2018, when a further review will be conducted.

The closure applies to the area between Redgate Beach Carpark and the whole of Redgate Beach due to the slowly decomposing whale carcass that remains in this area.

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

The closure is in place 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.

Contos

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions officers have inspected the beach at Contos Springs to Hooley Road, Boranup and determined there are no further signs of the whale carcass and have reopened the beach.

Beach users should continue to be cautious in this area.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 31 May at 5:00pm

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closures for Redgate Beach and the Contos-Boranup area, so closures will remain in force until at least Thursday 7 June 2018, when a further review will be conducted.

The decision to extend two area closures for a further week is based on the continued presence of decomposing carcasses on the shore.

The closure area at Boranup Beach has been reduced in size as some of the whale carcasses are no longer present following recent weather conditions. The closures are in place from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea at:

• Redgate Beach from the carpark along the whole of Redgate Beach,
• Contos Springs to Hooley Road, Boranup Beach.

This means beaches and waters in these areas cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.Update on 24 May 4.10pm

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has extended the Regulation 44 closures for Redgate Beach and the Contos-Boranup area, so those closures will remain in force until at least Thursday 31 May 2018 and be reviewed then.

The closure at Hamelin Headland (White Cliff Point) to the northern end of Cosy Corner Beach will expire at the end of today. Caution is recommended at all times in these waters and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends that water users check SharkSmart’s Activity Map or the Surf Life Saving Twitter feed before heading to their local beaches.

The decision to extend two area closures for a further week is based on the continued presence of decomposing carcasses on the shore. The closures are in place from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea at:

• Redgate Beach from the carpark along the whole of Redgate Beach,
• Contos Springs to Grace Road, Boranup Beach.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 17 May 3.55pm: 

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has extended its Regulation 44 closures for Redgate Beach and two other areas near Hamelin Bay, so the closures will remain in force until at least Thursday 24 May 2018.

The decision is based on the continued presence of decomposing carcasses on the shore at Contos Point, Hooley Road, Boranup North Point and Foul Bay.

These three areas will remain closed for a further week, from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea:　

• Redgate Beach from the carpark along the whole of Redgate Beach,
• Hamelin Headland (White Cliff Point) to the northern end of Cosy Corner Beach, and
• Contos Springs to Grace Road, Boranup Beach.

 A further assessment will be carried out next Thursday.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 10 May 4.50pm: 

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has extended its Regulation 44 closures for Redgate Beach and two other areas near Hamelin Bay, so the closures will remain in force until at least Thursday 17 May 2018.

The decision is based on the continued presence of decomposing carcasses on the shore at Contos Point, Hooley Road, Boranup North Point and Foul Bay.

These three areas will remain closed for a further week, from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea:　

• Redgate Beach from the carpark along the whole of Redgate Beach,
• Hamelin Headland (White Cliff Point) to the northern end of Cosy Corner Beach, and
• Contos Springs to Grace Road Boranup Beach.

 A further assessment will be carried out next Thursday.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 3 May 4.50pm: 

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has extended its Regulation 44 closures for Redgate Beach and two other areas near Hamelin Bay, so the closures will remain in force until at least 10 May.

The decision is based on the continued presence of the carcasses on the shore at Conos Point, Hooley Road, Boranup North Point and Foul Bay.

Three areas will remain closed for a further week, from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea: 

1. Redgate Beach from the carpark along the whole of Redgate Beach,
2. Hamelin Headland (White Cliff Point) to the northern end of Cosy Corner Beach, and
3. Contos Springs to Grace Road Boranup Beach.

A further assessment will be carried out, before the closure ends next Thursday.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 26 April at 4.50pm: 

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has amended its Regulation 44 closure for Redgate to Foul Bay and another closure in the Hamelin Bay area so the closure remains in force until at least next Thursday evening.

DBCA officers today inspected seven whale carcasses that remain at six locations, which they assessed were decomposing slower than had been expected.

Three areas will remain closed for a further week, from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea: 

1. Redgate Beach from the carpark along the whole of Redgate Beach,
2. Hamelin Headland (White Cliff Point) to the northern end of Cosy Corner Beach, and
3. Contos Springs to Grace Road Boranup Beach.

The areas are still subject to the DBCA Regulation 44 notice and will remain closed until Thursday 3 May at 6pm. A further assessment will be carried out, before the closure ends next Thursday.

Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 24 April at 4.45pm:

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has now issued a Regulation 44 beach closure related to the Redgate Beach whale carcass.

This closure will cover the coast from Redgate Beach to Foul Bay and also takes in part of the previous closure for the whale carcasses that remain in the Hamelin Bay area  

This means beaches and waters up to two kilometres out to sea cannot be used by divers, surfers and swimmers. This closure does not apply to vessels.

The area will be closed until at least 6pm on Thursday 26 April. The closure will be reviewed by DBCA on Thursday.

Alert issued on 24 April:

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued, due to a whale carcass being reported at Redgate Beach in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.

Situation:

• A whale carcass was reported by a member of the public just after midday today.
• The carcass is south of Redgate Beach, washed up on rocks.
• The member of the public advised that the whale is not fully intact, as the tail was missing.
• Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are attending the area.
• It is possible the decomposing carcass will continue to act as an attractant, which 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 incident is resolved.
• The weather forecast is for rising swell that may make removal of the carcass difficult, however, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will assess the situation.

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Redgate Beach 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: 
Fisheries officers along with staff from other agencies are monitoring the situation. 

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.