‘Whale residue could attract sharks’: Fisheries

A shark advice remains in place today for Southgate Dunes Beach, where a small whale carcass washed ashore last week.

Fisheries officers inspected the beach on Sunday morning and reported the 2-3 metre pygmy sperm whale had washed out to sea on the rising sea and swell.

But beach goers have been warned to exercise caution as residue from the carcass could still attract sharks to the area.

Initial plans to remove the whale last Tuesday were abandoned because of difficulties accessing the site.

“Given the isolated location there is no associated concern with leaving it there,” City of Greater Geraldton chief executive Ross McKim said last week.

Any shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Southgates Dunes Beach is about 6km north of the Greenough River Mouth.