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Shark ADVICE for Peppermint Grove Beach, near Capel

Shark ADVICE for Peppermint Grove Beach, near Capel

06 October 2019

Update Sunday 6 October at 2.40pm.

Officers from the departments of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have carried out an on-water patrol of the area where a whale carcass was reported offshore from Peppermint Grove Beach, near Capel and south of Bunbury, but have been unable to locate it.

An SLSWA helicopter patrol over the same area has also not been able to sight the reported carcass.

In the meantime, the we urge water users to apply additional caution in the Peppermint Grove Beach area and we ask people to report any new sightings of this or other whale carcasses or sharks. 

Whale carcass and shark sightings should be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600. 

Alert issued on 6 October at 1:20pm

Alert level:
A shark ADVICE has been issued due to a whale carcass reported offshore from Peppermint Grove Beach, near the town of Capel.

Situation:

  • Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, along with an officer from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, are currently responding to a report of a whale carcass, which is drifting approximately 400 metres offshore from the entrance to Peppermint Grove Beach.
  • Two reports were received by Water Police and both members of the public advised the carcass has remained in the area since this morning.
  • It is possible the carcass could drift further north and the officers are heading to the area in a patrol boat to assess the situation. At this stage it is not known if the whale carcass will remain in the area.
  • It is possible the decomposing carcass will 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 whist the officers attempt to confirm this report and then until the incident is resolved.

What to do:

  • Take additional caution in the Peppermint Grove Beach area.
  • Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers or Surf Life Saving WA.
  • Use your Sea Sense and stay informed by checking for shark activity on 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 land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed. 

What authorities are doing: 
Fisheries officers will be attending the area onboard a patrol vessel, along with an officer from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions.

Extra information: 
Switch on your Sea Sense, when you head to the beach. Stay informed 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.

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