Whale washes up near Great Ocean Road

A 10 metre juvenile humpback whale carcass has washed up off Carisbrook Creek, Wongarra between Kennett River and Skenes Creek, leading to advice being issued to avoid the area.

The marine giant was first spotted by members of the public on Saturday (June 28) floating off the Apollo Bay coast, before being found beached yesterday (Monday, June 30).

Local photographer Amber Noseda from Great Ocean Photography captured pictures of the dead whale yesterday from more than 300m away.

Residents and visitors are being encouraged to avoid the area and keep their distance from the decomposing carcass.

“Due to the rocky, difficult to access location of the whale a decision has been made to leave it in place. We will continue to monitor the situation,” DEECA incident controller Mike Harper said.

“Signage is installed and the community is asked to keep their distance for safety. Members of the public are reminded it is an offence for people or their dogs to be within 300 metres of a whale.

“Whales are protected under the Wildlife Act – regardless of whether they are alive or dead. It is an offence to interfere with, take or be in possession of parts of a dead whale.”

A whale carcass can attract sharks to the area and cause them to be closer to the shore than normal.

A warning advice for dangerous animals has been reported and issued for Wongarra, 500m east of Carisbrook Falls.

People should exercise additional caution, stay informed and not enter the water at closed beaches.

If you see sharks, report the sighting by phoning Triple Zero (000) or notify lifesavers immediately if you are at a patrolled beach.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority is assisting wildlife officers and park rangers with the management of the whale carcass.