Source : Perth Now news
Authorities have issued a shark alert as a whale carcass washes ashore at one of Australia’s most famous surf spots.
Victoria Emergency issued the alert on Sunday afternoon.
“Due to a whale carcass there could be an increase in shark activity at Bells Beach,” the alert says.
“A whale carcass can attract sharks to the area and mean they are closer to the shore than normal.
“While it is not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Victorian coast, you should exercise additional caution in the area.”
Anyone planning to enter the water should not do so at closed beaches, the alert says.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority is also monitoring for shark sightings.
A cafe worker at nearby Jan Juc said images of the whale were circulating online.
“It was definitely dead,” she told NewsWire.
“It was more or less a carcass and it was washed up on Bells Beach.”
“It looked like it had only just happened today.”
The whale appeared to be a calf, and images from people out walking on Bells Beach in the morning did not show any workers attempting to remove the body. the cafe worker said.
Bells Beach hosts the World Surf League Rip Curl Pro every Easter. This year’s event was the 63rd edition, and organisers say it is the longest-running competitive surf event in the world.
Bells Beach is a rural area, about 90km southwest of Melbourne, near the towns of Torquay and Jan Juc on the Great Ocean Road.
