Shark fears as carcass beaches

A rotting whale carcass on a Bremer Bay beach has prompted calls of caution from the Department of Fisheries.

A member of the public reported the body of a 9m humpback whale on Reef Beach, about 26kms west of Bremer Bay, to the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s Albany office at about 6.30pm yesterday.

A DPaW spokeswoman advised people not to interfere with the decomposing carcass and to report sightings of other stranded, injured or dead whales to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.

The Department of Fisheries issued a shark advice warning this morning over concerns the dead whale could attract sharks.

“People should exercise additional caution while the carcass remains in the vicinity,” a DoF spokesman said.

The department and Shire of Jerramunup rangers are monitoring the decomposing whale.

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