News & Alerts

Update on 22 November 2018 at 10.43am

Officers from Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have reinspected the area between Guillotines and Gallows and have found small fragments of whale carcass remaining after yesterday’s removal effort.

Beach users should continue to take caution in this area due to the residues which may act as a shark attractant.

The Regulation 44 beach closure will remain in place until next Thursday 29 November 2018.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 21 November 2018 at 6.47pm

Officers from Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have successfully removed the remains of the whale carcass from the Guillotines Gallows surf break area.

A Regulation 44 beach closure remains in place until 6pm Thursday 22 November whilst the residue of the carcass dissipates.

A further assessment will be conducted tomorrow afternoon.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 19 November 2018 at 2.10pm

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions have attended at Guillotines and Gallows area in response to a recent report from the Surf Life Saving Helicopter.

The whale carcass previously located in this area has moved. The carcass has become dislodged and has broken up and drifted offshore, it is no longer on the beach however due to some remaining fragments the beach will remain closed until 6pm this Thursday 22nd November.

The Surf Life Saving Helicopter has been tasked for a further flight over the area later today.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 15 November at 11:15am

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions have inspected the whale carcass at Guillotines surf break, and the Regulation 44 closure will remain in place at Guillotines surf break until at least next Thursday 22 November at 6pm.

The situation will be re-assessed next Thursday.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 8 November at 4.00pm

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions have inspected the whale carcass at Guillotines surf break, and the Regulation 44 closure will remain in place at Guillotines surf break until at least next Thursday 15 November at 6pm.

The situation will be re-assessed next Thursday.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.

Update on 1 November at 2.30pm

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions have inspected the whale carcass at Guillotines surf break, and the Regulation 44 closure will remain in place at Guillotines surf break until at least next Thursday 8 November at 6pm.

The situation will be re-assessed next Thursday.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600

Update on 27 October at 1.05pm

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions have completed the assessment of the whale carcass at Guillotines surf break and have identified it as an 11 metre long Sperm Whale.

The carcass is in the advanced stages of decay, indicating it has been at sea for an extended period.

Beach closed signs have now been erected at Guillotines and Gallows surf breaks.

A Regulation 44 beach closure is now in effect, closing the coast to swimming 2km north and south of Guillotines – bounded by Mt Whaleback in the South and Willyabrup Cliffs in the north, and 2km out to sea. 

Rangers are currently on site and are making a further assessment of accessibility at this location, which is known for its steep fringing limestone cliffs.

If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600

Update on 27 October at 12.05pm

Officers from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions are attending the beach near Guillotines surf break and have advised that warning signs are already in place, due to shark activity in the area this week.

Alert issued on 27 October, 2018

Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass being reported approximately 100 metres south of Guillotines surf break, which is approximately three kilometres north of Gracetown.

Situation:

• The whale was reported by the Surf Life Saving Helicopter crew at 11am this morning.
• The beached whale carcass is described as being one metre offshore approximately 100 metres south of the surf break.
• It is possible the carcass may act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming close in to shore along this stretch of coast.
• While it’s not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Western Australian coast throughout the year, people should exercise additional caution while authorities deal with this situation.

What to do:

• Take additional caution in the waters near Guillotines surf break.
• Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers or Surf Life Saving WA.
• 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:
Officers from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions have been deployed to the area and will assess the situation.

Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are in contact with the authorities and available to assist where required.

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.