Oyster Bay - Warning

Possible increased shark activity after a whale has been humanely euthanised at Oyster Bay Main Beach:

NSRI and Kouga Municipal Authorities are appealing to bathers, paddlers and fishermen to be cautious along the coastline between St Francis Bay and Plettenberg Bay after a whale, that washed ashore at Oyster Bay Main Beach, was humanely euthanised on Sunday afternoon by Police.

Oyster Bay Beach has been closed to bathers by Kouga Municipal Authorities.

NSRI Oyster Bay were alerted at 10h26 on Sunday, 01 August.

The Marine Stranding Network were alerted and Marine Scientists and a Vet were called to the scene where NSRI Oyster Bay crew had located the large Humpback Whale beached at Main Beach.

Disaster Risk Management were placed on alert.

With the animal appearing to be in poor health and hard aground in shallow surf the decision was made by the Vet to euthanise the animal.

The SA Police Services carried out an operation to humanely euthanise the animal under the guidance of the Vet.

Because of the beached whale carcass there is the strong likelihood of increased shark activity along this stretch of coast between St Francis Bay and Plettenberg Bay and caution is advised.

Arrangements to remove the carcass are being investigated.