A shark alert has been activated for a section of Western Australia's Great Southern coast, casting a shadow over Christmas Day beach plans. The urgent warning was triggered by the discovery of a whale carcass floating dangerously close to a popular beach near Albany.
Whale Carcass Triggers Immediate Warning
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) issued the official alert on 25 December 2025, after the large carcass was reported near Nanarup Beach at approximately 9.10am. Authorities confirmed the decomposing whale could act as a significant attractant for sharks, drawing them into waters very close to the shore.
DPIRD officers are actively monitoring the situation alongside the City of Albany, which has moved swiftly to erect prominent warning signs at the beach access points. The public is being urged to treat the warning with the utmost seriousness.
Safety Advice for Beachgoers
In response to the potential threat, water users are being given clear and direct safety instructions. The primary directive is to take additional caution in the Nanarup Beach area and to strictly adhere to any beach closures advised by local rangers, Parks and Wildlife officers, or Surf Life Saving WA.
Key recommendations from authorities include:
- Using your 'Sea Sense' and staying out of the water in the affected zone.
- Staying informed by checking for real-time shark activity on the SharkSmart website or via the SharkSmart WA mobile app.
- Following updates from Surf Life Saving WA on their official X (formerly Twitter) feed.
- Reporting any shark sighting immediately to Water Police on 9442 8600.
Staying Informed This Holiday Season
With the summer holiday season in full swing, this incident serves as a critical reminder for all coastal water users to remain vigilant. The alert will remain in effect while the whale carcass is in the vicinity, and the situation is being assessed continuously.
For the latest updates on this specific alert and to view other active warnings, the public is directed to the official sharksmart.com.au/news webpage. Ensuring community safety is the top priority as authorities work to manage this natural but hazardous event on the Great Southern coast.
