11th February 2022
On a morning beach walk at low tide on Wednesday, it was obvious to me that there had been a lot of movement of the sand along the beach. The beach between Moggs Creek and Eastern View especially, was quite different to normal.
Further along the beach I noticed an odd formation of what appeared to be rocks and driftwood. As I got up close and personal with what I thought was driftwood, I kicked it with my foot and was surprised how soft it was. It was at this point that I was almost knocked over by the smell coming from whatever it was that I had just kicked.
As this was happening there were utes and a bobcat approaching from the Fairhaven end of the beach. One of the people there told me that the whale carcass that had been buried in 2020 had been exposed by coastal erosion. This clearly was not rocks and driftwood!
My understanding was that the remains were buried there to respect the cultural significance of a whale coming ashore on Country. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning says it is working with Traditional Owners on this matter, but I cant help but think what shark risk this posed to swimmers and surfers with a two year old whale carcass resting in the shallows at Fairhaven? In fact the final of the Otway Boardriders competition was halted by a shark siting last weekend and a number were sited close to that location over summer.
Thankfully the remnants were taken away to another location and hopefully the sharks will follow!
James Worssam | 0418 585 815
