Full Breakdown
Whale Carcass on Perth’s City Beach Triggers Shark Warnings
By Drooid · · How we work
Event Overview
Early on Monday morning surf lifesavers discovered a dead whale on City Beach, a popular swimming spot in Perth. The carcass measured roughly six metres in length and lay on a sandbar, creating a strong odor that attracted onlookers who gathered to view the animal. The presence of the carcass coincided with sightings of several sharks in the immediate vicinity.
Safety Alerts and Official Responses
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) warned that the decaying whale could continue to attract sharks close to shore. DPIRD advised the public to exercise additional caution and to follow any beach closures. The SharkSmart website issued multiple alerts after reporting two white sharks—one about five metres and another about four metres—circling ten metres offshore, as well as a 3.5-metre shark of unknown species and a 2.5-metre shark also observed near the shore. Town of Cambridge mayor Gary Mack emphasized the need for the public to heed the warnings, stating that the situation was not a time for taking risks.
Species Identification and Recent Shark Incidents
Authorities have not confirmed the whale’s species. The incident follows a fatal shark attack that occurred ten days earlier at Sorrento Beach, roughly 12-15 kilometres north of City Beach, where 63-year-old Greg O’Neill was killed by a large great white. In response to that attack, Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis issued a catch-and-kill order for the offending shark, though the animal was never recovered.
Removal and Disposal Plans
Mayor Mack indicated that officials were assessing options for removing the carcass. The preferred plan involved loading the whale onto a truck for transport to a landfill site. An alternative—towing the carcass out to sea—was deemed difficult because the animal was wedged on a sandbar and the surf conditions were unstable.
Anticipated Effects on Beach Use
The combined presence of the carcass and multiple sharks led to the temporary closure of City Beach for several kilometres in each direction. While officials continue to monitor shark activity, the beach is expected to remain restricted until the carcass is removed and shark sightings subside, limiting recreational swimming and surf activities in the near term.