Dead whale forces beach closures Palm Beach, Australia

26 Nov 12

by Bryn Kay

WHALE Beach and Palm Beach were closed today after sharks were seen chomping on the remains of a dead whale washed up on the rocks over the weekend.

There are concerns sharks are still in the area after the head of the whale carcass was first spotted floating near the rocks at the southern end of Whale Beach on Saturday night.

Lifeguards were forced to shut Whale Beach and Palm Beach today after sharks were spotted feeding on a whale carcass. MARTIN LANGE

The carcass is still in the same location and Pittwater Council was waiting to see if it would wash out to sea overnight during high tide.

But in the event that doesn’t happen, the council will remove that carcass at 10am tomorrow morning.

On Saturday, onlookers watched on as two sharks ate the carcass which was floating just metres from the rocks next to the Whale Beach ocean pool.

Local resident Brian Conneely was shocked at what he saw and said he was adamant the sharks were great whites.

“I’m 100 per cent sure they were great whites,” Mr Conneely said.

“To be that close to a great white shark while they feed is a pretty awesome experience,” he said.

Pittwater lifeguard supervisor Phil Dunn said the two beaches would be closed for at least 24 hours after the carcass was removed.

In August, a 25-tonne humpback carcass was found in the ocean pool at Newport.

Pittwater Council had to remove the carcass and the beach was closed for five days.

Two whales were also removed from Palm Beach and Newport last year.

origin.manly-daily.whereilive.com.au

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