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Shark ADVICE reminder for Hamelin Bay near Augusta
12 April 2018Update on 20 April at 5.10pm:
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has amended its Regulation 44 closure for the Hamelin Bay area to allow parts of Foul Bay and Boranup to reopen.
This is a result of recent inspections of the remains of whale carcasses in the Hamelin Bay area.
The two areas that will remain closed will be the area from the shoreline to two kilometres out to sea between Contos Springs and south of Boranup North Point at the intersection of Grace Road and the second area between White Cliff Point, south of Hamelin Bay, to Foul Bay South East
The latest inspections revealed there are six remaining pilot whale carcasses between Contos and Foul Bay and unfortunately the decomposition is proceeding slower than expected.
The areas still subject to the DBCA Regulation 44 notice will remain closed until Tuesday 24 April at 6pm, at which time a further assessment will be carried out.
Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600
Update on 17 April at 10.10am:
Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have extended the closed waters notice, put in place as a result of recent whale strandings in the South West of WA.
The beaches between Hamelin Bay and Bobs Hollow will remain closed until at least 6pm on Friday (20 April, 2018).
Shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.
Alert issued on 12 April:
Alert level:
Officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) remind the public and families travelling south on school holidays that, due to the recent whale strandings in the South West of WA, the beaches between Hamelin Bay and Bobs Hollow will remain closed until at least 4.30pm on Monday (16 April, 2018). Situation:
- It is possible decomposing whale carcasses will continue to 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 until the whale carcasses are removed, or decompose naturally.
What to do:
- Take additional caution in the Hamelin Bay 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:
DBCA officers are monitoring the situation and providing advice to relevant authorities. Aerial and land-based surveillance is being conducted, and their Regulation 44(1) notice, which formally closes waters from Hamelin Bay to Bobs Hollow between the shoreline and two kilometres out to sea, may be extended beyond Monday (16 April, 2018).
See a map of the closed waters via this link.
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.