Sharks could linger weeks at Perth beaches despite whale removal
Whale carcass traces will attract sharks to Perth coast for weeks even after cleanup, expert warns.
A whale carcass removed from City Beach has left scent traces in the sand that could draw sharks back for weeks, says Curt Jenner from the Centre for Whale Research in Western Australia. Sharks detect tiny traces of blood and oil on a molecular level, he explained.
City Beach, Floreat Beach and Swanbourne Beach have all been closed. The Surf Life Saving Club cancelled a major championship and halted training.
Local swimming group PodSquad has paused its daily two-kilometre morning swims. The alerts come just over a week after a fatal shark attack at Sorrento Beach and during peak migration season for humpback whales, when sharks actively hunt in Perth's waters.
- City Beach, Perth
- Whale carcass location
- September to December
- Peak migration window
- 2 kilometres, daily morning swims
- PodSquad swim distance
Why it mattersPopular Perth beaches remain off-limits and swimming groups are staying ashore, disrupting community routines and outdoor recreation.
AustraliaSwimmers in Perth and surrounding coastal towns face extended beach closures and safety warnings as sharks remain active in the area.
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