A whale carcass buried on a beach near Ocean Grove could become an “ongoing” shark lure, lifesavers and surfers have warned.
Authorities buried the carcass last Friday after it washed up immediately east of Ocean Grove at Collendina the day before.
Fears that scent and oils from the rotting whale could attract sharks forced organisers to postpone a children’s surfing contest at Ocean Grove last weekend
More than 80 juniors were scheduled to compete in the Surfer Groms comp.
“The safety of competitors at our event is our first priority,” said Surfing Victoria’s Adam Robertson after announcing the postponement.
Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club said it was in discussions with Bellarine MP Lisa Neville over concerns about “possible ongoing shark attraction”.
“The relevant minister has been advised and discussions will occur with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) this week,” the club posted on Facebook.
“We look forward to a successful outcome and will provide updates as they occur.”
Club followers expressed surprise that authorities had buried the carcass rather than dispose of it away from the beach.
“Should have been towed 50km out to sea on the first day,” Gus Hyne posted on the club page, with others expressing similar ideas.
But the responsible authority said the burial was “an environmentally friendly option that allows the whale to naturally decompose”.
“The preferred method for disposal of a whale of this size is to bury it above the high tide line at the base of the sand dune,” said DELWP’s Aimee Haywood.
“The whale will naturally decompose and pose little risk of attracting sharks to the area.
“We are currently working with the City of Greater Geelong, Victorian Fisheries Authority and traditional owner groups to reduce risks to public safety and ensure the operation has a limited impact on the environment.
“An advice message remains in place for people not to swim in the area due to heightened risk of sharks.”
Ms Haywood said whale carcasses washing ashore was a “common occurrence” as the animals migrated to Antarctic waters from warmer waters north of Australia.
“We unfortunately do see them occasionally being washed ashore along the southern Victorian coastline,” she said.
Authorities believed that the carcass at Ocean Grove was from a humpback whale.
