City Beach in Perth has been closed and multiple shark warnings issued after a whale carcass washed up at the popular swimming spot.
Local surf lifesavers found the carcass early this morning and sounded the alarm. Several sharks could also be seen circling the area.
Authorities are yet to confirm what species the whale is. (ABC News: Lucy Murray)
“It is possible the carcass will continue to act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming in close to shore along this stretch of coast,” the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) warned.
The SharkSmart website has since issued several alerts for City Beach.
Surf Life Saving WA has closed City Beach, from near the Floreat Drain carpark to south of Bodmin Avenue.
Sharks circling
Aerial vision of the beach showed several sharks in the water, at least one of which could be clearly seen from the shore.
Two white sharks, one measuring 5 metres and another 4 metres, were seen 10 metres offshore at City Beach, about one hour after the carcass was spotted, according to SharkSmart.
A 3.5-metre unknown species of shark was also reported by the Surf Life Saving helicopter, and a 2.5-metre shark of unknown species was seen circling 10 metres offshore.
Mayor Gary Mack says City Beach will stay closed until the carcass is removed. (ABC News: Lucy Murray)
Town of Cambridge Mayor Gary Mack said the beach would not be reopened until the carcass had been removed.
“We need to develop a serious of options of how to dispose of it, today being a public holiday is not a great time to do all of that,” he said.
“People should not swim in this area at all, or even take their dogs out, there are white sharks that have been identified out there.”
A shark is seen circling just metres from the shore at City Beach. (ABC News: Lucy Murray)
DPIRD said people should exercise additional caution and follow any beach closures.
The carcass attracted a large crowd of onlookers this morning, with about 200 people gathered when the ABC was there.
Beachgoers Richard (right) and Grayson (left) Turner are at City Beach. (ABC News: Lucy Murray)
Beachgoer Richard Turner said it was unusual for a whale carcass to wash up like this.
“You can see obviously the sharks have had a go at it,” he said.
His son Grayson, 8, said the carcass smelled “really gross”.
Swimmer killed
The shark warnings come just 10 days after a fatal shark attack at Sorrento beach, about 15 kilometres further north.
Local surf lifesavers found the carcass this morning and sounded the alarm as people came to look. (ABC News: Lucy Murray)
Swimmer Greg O’Neill was swimming close to the shore when he was attacked by a large great white, prompting Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis to issue a catch-and-kill order for the animal.
But the shark was not found.