Removal begins after whale carcass closes Bells Beach

Authorities will attempt to remove a decomposing humpback whale carcass from Bells Beach on Monday morning as the iconic surf break remains closed over fears it could attract sharks to the area.

The carcass of the juvenile whale was first spotted on Sunday by members of the Torquay Boardriders Club during a surfing competition.

The discovery prompted the immediate closure of Bells Beach and nearby Winkipop amid warnings the carcass could attract sharks closer to shore and create public health concerns.

 

 

Ahead of the removal effort, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners gathered on the beach to conduct a smoking ceremony beside the whale.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) will use machinery to remove as much of the carcass as possible from the beach, but overnight tides have broken it apart and scattered remains along the shoreline.

 

DEECA coastal management officer Alex Lines said the carcass broke apart in overnight tides, leaving remains strewn along the beach.

A large portion of the whale was also washing around the corner to Winkipop.

“We won’t be able to get to it due to the lack of access,” he said.

 

 

“We will have play that by ear as to whether it washed up somewhere else or goes out to sea.”

DEECA has installed signage at the Bells Beach staircase warning visitors to stay away from the area while the clean-up operation is under way.

“We’ve got signage up at Bells to let people know to stay away, there is more shark activity, and the smell is quite rotten,” Lines said.

“We advise the public to exercise caution, even when coming to look at the site.”