Investigation into dead great white found near Whyalla

Officials are looking into the death of a protected great white shark near Whyalla.

PIRSA is investigating the discovery of a dead great white shark at Point Lowly, near Whyalla. Picture: Facebook/Whyalla Fishing Page

Primary Industries is investigating the discovery of a dead great white shark at Point Lowly, a popular swimming and diving spot near Whyalla, earlier this week.

The shark was found on the rocks on Tuesday, with fisheries officers taking its carcass away for investigation.

“Fisheries Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions have responded to reports of a dead protected white shark washed up on rocks near Port Lowly on Tuesday afternoon,” a PIRSA spokeswoman said.

“With the assistance of locals, the shark was located and retrieved for forensic examination as part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the possible cause of death.”

While PIRSA declined to speculate on the animal’s cause of death, there had been talk on social-media sites that the shark may have been targeted by anglers.

Great white sharks are entirely protected in Australia, with fines of up to $10,000 for anyone targeting the species.

Point Lowly is one of the most popular marine recreation areas in the Whyalla area, particularly in the winter months, when divers swim with the giant cuttlefish.