Overview
- A decaying whale carcass washed ashore at Bells Beach on Sunday, prompting VicEmergency to issue a shark warning and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority to temporarily close the beach.
- The Victorian Fisheries Authority and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action are monitoring the area and coordinating with Wadawurrung traditional owners and GORCAPA on plans to remove the carcass.
- Officials have advised people to stay out of the water at closed beaches and named nearby surf spot Winkipop as also affected while the carcass remains on the shore.
- Parks authorities said natural tidal action should likely drag the carcass back out to sea but warned the situation is developing and restrictions could remain or be extended if sharks are sighted.
- Bells Beach is a high-profile surf site that hosted the Rip Curl Pro in April, so the closure has immediate effects on local recreation and businesses until the carcass is removed or drifts offshore.