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Rottnest shark warning: Incredible underwater vision captures sharks feasting on whale carcass

Matt Zis The West Australian
VideoSharks feast on a whale carcass off Rottnest

Incredible underwater vision has captured sharks feasting on a rotting whale carcass floating about 100m from shore at Rottnest.

Jono Riley was on his brother Ben’s boat when they discovered the massive carcass about 6.45am on Tuesday surrounded by around 30 hungry sharks.

Sharks feed on a roitting whale carcass off Rottnest
Camera IconSharks feed on a roitting whale carcass off Rottnest Credit: Jono Riley

He says the whale was ‘bottomed out’ just 120m east of the ferry terminal and attracting some huge and hungry ocean predators.

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“There would have been about 25 tiger sharks and five bronze whalers. The biggest tiger would have been about 4m,” he said.

“They weren’t in a frenzy at all, they were all taking their turns and lining up to take a bite

“Absolutely cracking day on the water.”

SEE THE INCREDIBLE VISION IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Jono Riley, left, and Sean Sicree watched on as dozens of sharks feasted off Rottnest.
Camera IconJono Riley, left, and Sean Sicree watched on as dozens of sharks feasted off Rottnest. Credit: The West Australian

The 12m whale is drifting north east of the Thomson Bay ferry jetty, according to Surf Lifesaving WA.

The Rottnest Island Authority has ordered swimmers out of the water at all beaches within 1km of the carcass, including Thomson Bay, Pinky Beach, The Basin and Longreach Bay.

Luke Sicree attached his camera to an extendable pole and put it under the water to capture the sharks in action.

He said they went out looking for the carcass about 5am.

“We heard yesterday there was a shark and went looking about 5am north of Rotto but couldn’t find it. We were about to pull the pin and head home but we decided to pull in and get a pie from the bakery and there it was, sitting right there about 120m from the ferry terminal.

“It was insane, once in a lifetime that’s for sure.”

Sharks feed on the rotting whale carcass.
Camera IconSharks feed on the rotting whale carcass. Credit: Jono Riley

Rottnest Island rangers have conducted on water patrols and are monitoring the situation along with Fisheries and DPIRD officers.

People have been urged to exercise caution.

It comes just days after father-of-two Paul Millachip was mauled by a 4.5 metre shark off Port Beach.

He was attacked while swimming on November 6 about 50 metres from shore.

Mr Millachip, whose body has not been found, was last seen being “dragged under” the waves.

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