Published on Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 4:48:47 PM

All Cottesloe beaches will remain closed today, due to a whale carcass which washed up on Dutch Inn Beach at 6am this morning.

At 12:15pm, the carcass was safely removed using an excavator and has been transported to a waste management facility for disposal.

All Cottesloe beaches will remain closed, as Rangers continue to monitor the safety of the beach and follow advice from the DPIRD Shark Response Unit. This closure includes the main beach enclosed swimming area within the shark barrier.

The Town will reassess the situation tomorrow morning (Friday 23 October) to determine if the beach is safe to reopen.

The Town appreciates the Rangers, Parks team, DPIRD, and all other parties who managed the situation responsibly and efficiently. 

Standard whale carcass management practice is to allow a drifting carcass to make landfall, where it can be safely assessed and removed. Attempting to tow a carcass at sea can present safety risks and may cause the carcass to break up and disperse over a wider area.

It is important for the public to report any shark sightings to Water Police (9442 8600) as soon as possible and to download the SharkSmart WA app or visit the SharkSmart website to stay informed.

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