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Decomposing whale carcass attracts multiple white sharks to Goode Beach, prompting city to issue closure

Headshot of Melissa Sheil
Melissa SheilAlbany Advertiser
Bianca Wolfe captured imagery of the sharks swimming near the shore on her drone.
Camera IconBianca Wolfe captured imagery of the sharks swimming near the shore on her drone. Credit: Bianca Wolfe

A popular Albany beach has been closed to the public after several great white and tiger sharks were sighted a short way from the shore, having been attracted to the coast by a decaying whale carcass.

The City of Albany announced the closure of Goode Beach via its Facebook page on Monday afternoon.

“The beach will remain closed while arrangements are made to remove the carcass, which is expected to occur tomorrow morning,” they wrote.

Interested beach goers take a look at the whale carcass.
Camera IconInterested beach goers take a look at the whale carcass. Credit: Carol Duncan

“Please avoid entering the water and follow all signage and directions in the area.”

At least six large great white sharks and two tiger sharks have been spotted swimming in the area over the weekend.

They are believed to have been attracted to the area by a decomposing whale carcass that was spotted by a member of the public drifting about 200m offshore at 8am on Saturday morning.

Bianca Wolfe captured imagery of the sharks swimming near the shore on her drone.
Camera IconBianca Wolfe captured imagery of the sharks swimming near the shore on her drone. Credit: Bianca Wolfe
The decaying whale.
Camera IconThe decaying whale. Credit: Jenny Feast Photography

Two 3m-long white sharks were sighted swimming about 15m from the sand at 11am on Sunday.

A third white shark, estimated to be 3.3m long by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, was spotted about 250m offshore at 1.30pm on Monday.

On Tuesday at 10.22am, a 3m tiger shark was sighted about 100m offshore, while another two white sharks — one 3.3m and one 3.8m — were spotted at 11.16am and 2.39pm.

The 3.8m shark was tagged and released.

At 7.46am on Wednesday, a 2.2m tiger shark was seen swimming 50m offshore before a 4m white shark was reported at 9.15am about 75m offshore.

Carol Duncan visited the popular beach on Sunday and said many interested beachgoers were there having a look at the dead whale.

“I did visit Goode Beach but not specifically for the whale carcass,” she said.

“It was a big blubbery mess, stinky and a bit sad.”

The carcass was removed on Tuesday morning but the beach remained closed on Wednesday morning.

The City of Albany closed Goode Beach on May 11 after multiple white sharks were sighted, having been attracted by a decaying whale carcass.
Camera IconThe City of Albany closed Goode Beach on May 11 after multiple white sharks were sighted, having been attracted by a decaying whale carcass. Credit: Carol Duncan

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