News & Alerts

Update on 13 August at 9:20am

The whale carcass has repositioned overnight onto the beach at Separation Point.

City of Greater Geraldton officers will commence operations this morning to remove the carcass. 

Divers, surfers and swimmers are advised to continue to take care as residues from the carcasses may continue to act as an attractant to sharks.

Use your Sea Sense and stay informed by checking for shark activity on 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 land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed.

Alert issued on 12 August

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass that has come aground on an offshore reef near Separation Point in the City of Greater Geraldton.

Situation:

• The whale carcass is stuck on a shallow reef platform approximately four to five hundred metres offshore, west of the Separation Point lookout.
• The whale carcass was earlier reported adrift in this area by a member of the public.
• Fisheries Officers have attended and observed that the carcass is stuck inside the shallow reef platform and with very low swell conditions is likely to remain until sea conditions change.
• It is possible the decomposing carcass will 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 the carcass remains in this area.

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the Separation Point area.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers, or Surf Life Saving WA.
• Use your Sea Sense and stay informed by checking for shark activity on 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 land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed. 

What authorities are doing: 

Fisheries officers, along with staff from other agencies are monitoring the situation and will provide an update should the carcass move.

Extra information: 

Bring your Sea Sense to the beach. Stay informed 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.