Shark alert issued at Wongarra, Great Ocean Road

Beach-goers are being warned to stay out of the water to avoid sharks, after a 12m whale carcass was spotted off a section of coastline along the Great Ocean Road.

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

Beach-goers are being warned to stay out of the water to avoid sharks, after a 12m humpback whale carcass was washed up near Wongarra along the Great Ocean Road.

The carcass washed up onto rocks 500m east of Carisbrook Falls sometime before Monday afternoon.

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

This has prompted the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) to issue a message to alert people to potential increased shark activity near Wongarra.

“An advice message is in place to alert beachgoers to the potential for increased shark activity near Wongarra on the Great Ocean Road,” a VFA spokesman said.

“The VFA has not received reports of shark activity in the area, and the advice message is in place as a precaution.”

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.

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

“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