Fingal Beach is closed to swimmers until at least Saturday while National Parks and Wildlife Service removes a whale carcass from the water inside the bay.
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It is believed the carcass is of a humpback whale and that it is the same one sighted between the heads last Friday, September 11 and off Fly Point on Saturday, September 12.
The whale carcass was sighted floating in the water on the southern end of Fingal Beach on the morning of Thursday, September 17.
National Parks and Wildlife Service is the authority in charge of monitoring and disposing of the carcass, where possible. The service said it was seeking to dispose of the carcass on Friday.
"National Parks and Wildlife Service is monitoring a whale carcass currently floating in Fingal Bay, approximately 200 metres offshore," a NPWS spokesperson said on Thursday.
"NPWS is working closely with the NSW Water Police and NSW Department of Primary Industries on options for management of the carcass.
"NPWS continue to monitor part of an as-yet unidentified whale carcass. More information may become available pending close examination of the carcass."
Port Stephens Council closed Fingal Beach to water users on Thursday and said it would remain closed on Friday while NPWS removed the carcass from the southern end of the beach by boat.
Transport for NSW said while it does not consider the carcass to be a significant hazard, it did encourage boaters in the area to exercise caution.
"Transport for NSW is aware of a section of whale carcass currently floating in Fingal Bay," spokesperson for the transport authority said.
"National Parks and Wildlife Service have engaged a contractor to dispose of the remains which is due to be carried out [Friday, September 18].
"Transport for NSW does not consider the carcass to be a significant hazard to navigation, however we encourage boaters to exercise caution while NPWS are undertaking removal of the carcass."
It is not uncommon for whale carcasses to wash up on beaches in Port Stephens.
The rotting carcass of an 11-metre long juvenile male humpback whale washed ashore near Rocky Point - between Samurai and Fingal beaches - in July 2016.
In October 2018 the carcass of a 10-metre semi-mature sperm whale, which weighed more than three tonnes, washed up onto the northern end of One Mile Beach near rocks.
This time last year, in September 2019, the body of a 9.7-metre juvenile humpback whale washed up on One Mile Beach.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
