Shark alert issued at Wongarra, Great Ocean Road

Swimmers are again being told to stay out of the water due to a rise in shark sightings near Apollo Bay.

A shark warning has been issued for Wongarra’s coastline along the Great Ocean Rd.

Swimmers are again being told to stay out of the water due to a rise in shark sightings near Apollo Bay.

A fresh alert was announced by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) on Monday more than a week after a huge whale carcass washed up near Wongarra on the Great Ocean Road.

The dead 12m humpback, found about 500m east of Carisbrook Falls, has seen increased shark activity and a dangerous animal warning issued for the area.

“A whale carcass can attract sharks to the area and mean they are closer to the shore than normal,” a fisheries statement said.

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

A Victoria Police helicopter was also reported circling the area along the Great Ocean Road on Monday, and further along towards Torquay.

Beach-goers were first warned about sharks near Wongarra, about 25 minutes from Apollo Bay, on June 30.

Due to the limited access to the area and its size, the carcass is expected to remain in place.

While the risk of a shark attack is extremely low, people are being warned to be mindful entering the waters nearby.

There has not been a fatality due to shark attack in Victroia for more than 30 years.

All shark sightings should be reported to police via triple-0 or lifesavers at patrolled beaches.

Amber Noseda from Great Ocean Photography said “a couple of distinct teeth marks“ could be seen on the whale carcass at Carisbrook Creek on Monday.

The VFA’s dangerous animal alert on Monday afternoon remained in place on Wednesday, covering a section of coast between Kennett River and Skenes Creek.

Teeth marks could allegedly be seen on the 12-metre whale carcass off a section of coastline along the Great Ocean Road.

“The Victorian Fisheries Authority is assisting wildlife officers and park rangers with the management of a whale carcass,” it said.

“A whale carcass can attract sharks to the area and mean they are 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.”

“Stay informed and do not enter the water at closed beaches.”

In October last year a 16-tonne rotting whale carcass was chopped up and removed from Thirteenth Beach.

The fin whale washed up west of the Barwon Heads Bluff in September and quickly became a tourist attraction, despite health concerns about the badly decomposing animal.

If you see sharks, report the sighting by calling triple-0 (000) or notify lifesavers immediately if you are at a patrolled beach.

Originally published as Shark alert issued at Wongarra, Great Ocean Road