Coogee and Maroubra beaches close after whale carcass found at Lurline Bay

Coogee and Maroubra beaches in eastern Sydney were closed to swimmers on 22 October after a whale carcass was found at Lurline Bay, between the two beaches. Randwick Council said the closures were a precaution and would remain in place until further notice while lifeguards monitored the area and authorities arranged for the carcass to be removed.

The council cited the risk of sharks being attracted to the carcass, ABC reported. Whale scientist Vanessa Pirotta told ABC that sharks were likely to be drawn to the area and advised people against swimming nearby. The Guardian reported that the council was also urging visitors to avoid the area and follow directions from lifeguards and authorities.

Why removing the Lurline Bay carcass is difficult

Rob Cooley of the Gamay Rangers told ABC that the whale was in an advanced state of decomposition. Ocean conditions and the carcass’s position meant machinery and vessels could not reach it at that stage, he said. The Guardian reported that removal had not begun while discussions continued with the rangers about a culturally and environmentally sensitive approach.

Cultural significance and the whale’s identity

Mayor Clare Willington said the whale was an important totem animal to the local Bidjigal people and that the council would seek a culturally respectful approach. Cooley told ABC that cultural advisers would be brought to the site for a ceremony. No removal method or timetable had been announced.

The whale’s species and age had not been definitively established. ABC reported that the council described it as a baby, while Pirotta considered it likely to be a young adult or teenage humpback. ABC also reported a rope around one of its pectoral fins; how the whale died was not established. The Guardian reported that authorities were still determining how the carcass arrived at the bay and believed the whale had died some time earlier.