Body of dead whale washes up on Casuarina Beach, warning about increased shark activity in Tweed

Beachgoers have been warned to be vigilant after a large whale carcass washed up, attracting sharks close to shore.

A LARGE dead whale which washed up on a beach just over the border has acted as a buffet for sharks in the area, warns Surf Life Saving NSW.

The carcass of the marine mammal washed up on south Casuarina Beach near Kingscliff on Monday afternoon, prompting a warning to beachgoers.

But the whale has since been washed back into the ocean and resurfaced at Pottsville Beach.

Beaches including Casuarina, Salt and Pottsville have been closed as a precaution.

The whale carcass washed up at south Casuarina Beach near Kingscliff on Monday afternoon.

On the Gold Coast, beaches from Rainbow Bay to Coolangatta were closed for several hours on Monday after a shark of an unknown size and species was spotted about 600m from the shore at Rainbow Bay.

Tweed councillor and surf lifesaver James Owen said on Monday afternoon Surf Life Saving “advised that there are sharks feeding on a whale carcass close to shore”.

The dead whale will likely be hauled to the tip.

“Beachgoers are warned to be extra cautious when going to the beach in the Tweed Shire, particularly from Salt to Cabarita,” he said.

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Tweed Shire Council initially advised the whale would be hauled to landfill at Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre, instead of being buried or left to naturally decay on the beach.

“I’ve spoken to the GM of Tweed Shire Council (Troy Green) regarding the removal of the whale carcass,” Cr Owen said.

“He’s advised that as a priority it will be taken to landfill at Stotts Creek and not buried on the beach.”

The council has been working with the Department of Primary Industries to remove the carcass.

Cr Owen advised on Tuesday morning the whale’s body had “washed out on the high tide”.

It ended up on the shore at Pottsville Beach this afternoon and the council has renewed efforts to take the carcass to the tip.