Surf event cancelled after shark fears

Worry about shark attacks at Bremer Bay because of a rotting whale carcass forced the cancellation of a popular surfing event last weekend.

The whale carcass washed up at Dillon Bay more than a month ago and attracted sharks to the area, prompting fears for the safety of participants in the Albany Boardriders girls' surf camp.

As many as 100 female surfers have attended the camp, which has been running for the past 10 years, and this year is the first time it has not gone ahead.

Club president Adrian Shepherd said the event was called off after three months of preparation.

The whale was reported by the Department of Fisheries on August 8 and sharks have been recorded at Dillon Bay since then, including a 3m white shark 100m offshore on August 15, a 3.8m white shark 1km offshore on August 16, and a 2.8m white shark on August 17.

Shire of Jerramungup chief executive Bill Parker said 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the carcass had been removed, but Dillon Bay, Native Dog and Blossoms Beach remained closed.

Mr Parker said a small section was left in the water because of difficulties accessing the body.

"We removed as much as possible to speed up the process of decomposition so the risk to beachgoers was significantly reduced or eliminated," he said.

"We will do a risk assessment over the next few weeks and open the beaches when there is no longer a risk to the community."

Mr Shepherd said safety was paramount.

"It’s a shame and the girls are very disappointed, but they understand why we have called it off," he said.

"We are very diligent about what we do and safety is first and foremost.

"The beaches have been closed and local surfers are still a bit tender about it."

Mr Shepherd said he had spoken to Surfing WA chief executive Mark Lane, who had advised caution.

"As surfers we all know they are always there (but) we do not want to see anything happen to anybody," he said.

"If there is an oil slick on the beach, sharks that may be cruising the coastline might come in from that smell for a browse and even one shark that hasn’t had a feed for a while … lets us know we shouldn’t be running the event."

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