Beaches shut after dead whale washes up on Sydney beach, sparking shark fears
Many beaches south of Sydney have been closed after a dead whale carcass washed up on the beach, posing a possible shark risk.
The massive whale carcass was found washed up on a beach at Era in Sydney’s Royal National Park on Saturday and was in a heavy state of decomposition.
“This has resulted in increased shark activity along the coastline and sightings of large sharks in the area,” a statement from NSW National Parks said.
Beaches between Garie and Burning Palms, including Wattamolla and Era, are closed.
Visitors are asked to stay out of the water due to the increased risk of shark activity.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Stephen Pearce said the whale had been decomposing “for a short time while out to sea”.
He declared there was a high risk of shark activity and warned visitors to stay out of the water.
“Lifeguards are reporting visible numbers of sharks off the coast and around the rock platform,” he told the ABC.
“We can’t stop people from going into the water, but knowing how many sharks are out there and the reports of larger white and bull sharks in the water, those are not fish you want swimming in the same water.”
It is unknown which whale species was found on the beach.
Surf lifeguards continue to patrol the areas.
