Multiple beaches along Sydney’s Royal National Park remain closed as authorities work to remove a large whale carcass that has attracted significant shark activity. The partial carcass of a sperm whale, weighing approximately 25 tonnes and measuring between 8.5 to 9 metres in length, was discovered on rocks at the southern end of Era Beach on Saturday morning. Surf lifesavers first reported the sighting during their patrols, noting an immediate increase in shark presence in the surrounding waters.
The discovery has prompted a coordinated response from multiple agencies, including Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. Authorities have closed Garie, Era, Wattamolla and Burning Palms beaches to the public, with warnings issued against swimming, surfing, diving or spearfishing in the affected areas. Shark surveillance drones and jet skis have been deployed to monitor the zone and track shark movements near the carcass.
According to Brendon Neilly, the royal area manager for NSW National Parks and Wildlife, the whale carcass was already in a “medium to progressed state of decomposition” when it washed ashore. He described it as “stinking” upon arrival but noted there is no known cause of death for the partial remains. Neilly explained that towing the carcass out to deeper waters was not considered viable due to the risk it would pose as a navigational hazard to shipping traffic.
The current plan involves towing the partial carcass to a location where it can be loaded onto a vehicle for transport to a commercial waste facility. Neilly stated that although on-country burial options have been used in other areas, such approaches are “quite restricted in the Sydney Basin” due to environmental and regulatory constraints. The operation is expected to take several days given the size and condition of the remains.
Stephen Pearce, CEO of SLSNSW, emphasized the severity of the shark activity, stating that lifesavers are reporting “a significant amount of sharks visibly off the beach and around the rock platform.” He specifically mentioned reports of larger white and bull sharks in the vicinity, reinforcing the warning for the public to avoid entering the water. Pearce noted that the alert was issued in part due to the long weekend and high visitation levels typically seen in the Royal National Park area.
The whale carcass is believed to have been decaying for some time before washing up on the rocks, though the exact timeframe and origin remain unconfirmed. Authorities continue to assess the situation daily, with beach closures likely to remain in effect until the carcass is fully removed and the area deemed safe for public employ. Updates on the removal progress and any changes to beach access will be provided by NSW National Parks and Wildlife and Surf Life Saving NSW through their official channels.