NEWS: Dead humpback whale in Exmouth Gulf

A few days ago an adult humpback whale was found floundering just off the inter-tidal zone in the Bundegi Sanctuary in Exmouth Gulf.  The whale was clearly in distress and not doing very well so it came as no surprise when yesterday's news of its death reached us.

The humpback has ended up right up in the shallows that are dry during low tides. DEC has decided to leave the whale carcass there for nature to dispose of over time.

Already the predators are making their presence felt and all people are advised not to enter the water near the whale. Several 2.5m+ tiger sharks, along with a variety of other species of shark, have been seen feeding. Sharks can feed in extremely shallow water so everyone needs to be aware that approaching the whale when there is any water at all is potentially dangerous. You can see some of the damage already done to the whale by predators (down the side and underneath) along with the blistered skin from being stranded in the sun (along the top)

DEC has closed the moorings in Bundegi Sanctuary for the next six weeks. This will not effect our diving plans as we do not usually access the area for diving at this time of year. All of our diving sites in Lighthouse Bay, VLF Bay, the Muiron Islands and further south along the coast are still accessible and not considered to have any increased risk.