Victorian Fisheries warn of increase in shark activity on Surf Coast following whale carcass discovery

Crews are working to remove a 18-metre whale carcass found at Fairhaven beach that led to an increase in shark activity in the area on Tuesday.

Crews are working to remove a 18-metre whale carcass found at Fairhaven beach that led to an increase in shark activity in the area on Tuesday morning.

The carcass was sighted offshore Monday, and washed ashore overnight.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning incident controller Barry James said crews were currently on site assessing options for its removal.

“We’re urging the public to stay clear of the carcass and allow our crews space to complete our works as quickly and safely as possible,” Mr James said.

The Fairhaven beach has been closed between Fairhaven and Moggs Creek for community safety and to allow crews to complete works as quickly as possible.

A sperm whale has washed up on Fairhaven beach. Picture: Phil Skeggs

Work has started to remove the carcass. Picture: Phil Skeggs

An alert from Victorian Fisheries on Tuesday morning said a whale carcass can attract sharks closer to the shore than normal.

“While it is not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Victorian coast, you should exercise additional caution in the area,” the alert said.

Victorian Fisheries marked the warning area from near the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club to Moggs Creek.

It comes after a reported a shark sighting was recorded offshore near the same area at around 9.20pm on Monday night.

Victorian Fisheries advised people to always swim, dive or surf with a friend and swim between the flags on patrolled beaches.

It also encouraged people to not swim in places where human or animal waste enters the water and keep away from large schools of fish, seals or other wildlife as they can attract sharks.

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Originally published as Victorian Fisheries warn of increase in shark activity on Surf Coast following whale carcass discovery