News & Alerts

Update on 15 October at 4:40 pm

Beaches at Blue Haven, Chapmans Point and Lovers Cove have been reopened by the Shire of Esperance.

Beaches at Firsties and West Beach remain closed.

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 @SLSWA on X (formerly Twitter). 

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 13 October at 2:50 pm

The whale carcass has now been removed from Firsties Beach, in the Shire of Esperance. 

Beaches remain closed in the Firsties and West Beach areas. The Shire of Esperance will review the beach closures on Monday 14 October 2024.

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 @SLSWA on X (formerly Twitter) 

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600

Alert Issued 13 October 7:00am

Alert level:

A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported at Firsties Beach BEN Sign E1492, near West Beach in the Shire of Esperance.

Situation:

• The whale carcass was reported by a member of the public at 7:02 pm on 12 October 2024.
• The decomposing carcass will continue to act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming in close to shore along this stretch of coast.
• Although sharks may be present along the Western Australian coast throughout the year, people should exercise additional caution. 

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the West Beach and Firsties Beach areas.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers or Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA).
• Use your Sea Sense and stay informed by checking for shark activity on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app or follow @SLSWA on X (formerly Twitter).
• 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 @SLSWA on X.

What authorities are doing: 

Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), along with staff from other agencies are monitoring the situation and providing advice to relevant authorities.

The Shire of Esperance has closed the 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.  

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 @SLSWA on X – x.com/SLSWA. Check www.sharksmart.com.au/news for updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.