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Shark ADVICE for Cowaramup
31 July 2016Update: 5.05pm, 1 August 2016
The whale calf stranded inside Left Handers surf break at Cowaramup on Sunday 31 July has been washed out to sea and searches of the area have failed to locate it or the other whales that were in the vicinity.
- Authorities will continue to look for the whale in the coastal area near Cowaramup.
- It is possible the whale may wash ashore in another location and act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming close in to shore.
Department of Fisheries advice for this update is for water users to continue to take additional caution near Cowaramup and other beaches in the area between Capes Naturaliste and Leeuwin.
Previous information at 31 July, 2016
Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued, due to a whale being washed ashore inside Left Handers surf break Cowaramup.
Situation:
- Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) has advised a whale calf has washed ashore inside Left Handers surf break Cowaramup. Two other whale calves are within 200 metres of the beached calf and could also beach sometime today.
- It is possible the whale will act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming close in to shore along this stretch of beach near Left Handers.
- While it’s not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Western Australian coast throughout the year, people should exercise additional caution until the whale is removed.
What to do:
- Take additional caution near Cowaramup and Left Handers surf break.
- Adhere to beach closures.
- Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the SharkSmart website or Surf Life Saving WA’s Twitter feed.
- If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600. All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to response agencies and to the public on the SharkSmart website and the Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed.
What authorities are doing:
DPaW is assessing the situation. Due to hazardous swell and weather conditions removal of the carcass may take several days.
Extra information:
Keep informed of the latest detection and sighting information by checking the Shark Activity Map on the SharkSmart website – www.sharksmart.com.au/shark-activity or the Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – twitter.com/SLSWA.
Check www.sharksmart.com.au/news for current alerts and warnings.