The Department of Environment and Science is reminding people to stay away from stranded or dead marine animals after drone footage captured about 50 tiger sharks feeding on the remains of a humpback whale.
The frenzy of sharks was captured by marine park rangers off the coast of Hervey Bay on Sunday afternoon as they inspected the carcass.
It is the fifth whale to die in South-East Queensland waters in the past week.
It comes as the official whale-watching season started on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month, with about 40,000 of the animals expected to pass the region’s coastline as they travel the “Humpback Highway” during the next five months.
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Senior Ranger Daniel Clifton said the vision was a reminder for people to keep clear of marine animal remains and shows the important ecological relationship between sharks and whales.
“Where there are dead whales, there are likely sharks nearby and this vision clearly shows why this is the case,” he said.
“The death of one whale, although sad, creates a life source for many other scavenging animals including fish, sharks and other marine life.
“We’re fortunate here in the Great Sandy Marine Park that we can experience these natural processes first-hand.”
Mr Clifton said sharks could still be present near whales in shallow waters.
“That is why we ask people to keep their distance from dead whales that wash up near the shore,” he said.
“Marine animals can also carry zoonotic diseases, so you should never touch them.
“The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and local councils have highly trained experts ready to deploy to whale strandings, and it is best to wait for the experts to attend and assist during stranding events.”
The humpback’s remains have been anchored to a secure spot to allow for natural processes to continue.
Five dead whales have been found in South-East Queensland waters in the past week.
- On June 16, a humpback whale stranded and later died in shallow waters near Susan River.
- On June 20, a humpback washed up deceased at Inskip Point.
- On June 22, a Bryde’s whale stranded and later died at Eurong, K’gari.
- On June 24, a second Bryde’s whale stranded and later died at Cathederal Beach, K’gari.
- On June 25, the latest deceased humpback off Hervey Bay was reported to DES.
Mr Clifton said that as the population of whales migrating up Queensland’s coast continued to grow, so would the number of whales dying of natural causes.
“This an inevitable and natural by-product of this conservation success,” he said.
“When a whale strands, the QPWS works with local councils and Traditional Owners to determine the best method of disposal.
“This includes burial in nearby dunes or being towed and secured in mangroves at certain islands off Queensland’s coast.
“Depending on the location, deceased whales can also be left in-situ, and as part of the natural processes, providing food for birds, crustaceans and other marine and terrestrial animals.”
All sightings of stranded marine life, including whales, should be reported immediately to the DES on 1300 130 372 or the relevant council.
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