News & Alerts

Update on 16 November at 2:35pm

Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have successfully towed the whale carcass 10 kilometres west of Rottnest Island.

Beaches remain closed at Thomson Bay, Pinky Beach, The Basin and Longreach Bay. Rottnest Island Rangers will review the beach closures on Wednesday 17 November. 

Whilst weather conditions remain favourable this afternoon, DPIRD Technical Officers will remain in the vicinity of the carcass to conduct targeted shark tagging operations. 

DPIRD will continue to monitor the movement and drift direction of the carcass using the attached tracking device over the coming days.  

Additional caution is recommended by DPIRD in the Rottnest Island area, as any residue from the whale carcass 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 16 November at 7:00am

Rottnest Island Rangers have conducted on water patrols and reported the whale carcass to be located approximately 100m north east of the Thomson Bay Ferry Jetty at 06:13am.       

The following beaches will be closed until further notice: Thomson Bay, Pinky Beach, The Basin and Longreach Bay.

Fisheries Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Rottnest Island Rangers are continuing to monitor the situation.

Additional caution is recommended by DPIRD in the Rottnest Island area, as the decomposing whale carcass may 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 15 November

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported approximately 1km north of Bathurst Point, Rottnest Island.

Situation:

• The whale carcass was reported by the public at 3:28pm. 
• Officers from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have located the carcass and have attached a tracking device.
• DPIRD will continue to monitor the movement and drift direction of the carcass.
• The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), including Rottnest Island rangers have been advised and will monitor the situation.
• 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. 

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the waters between Rottnest Island and the Perth Metropolitan Coast.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers, DBCA 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: 

DPIRD Officers are monitoring the situation and providing advice to relevant 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 updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.