September 18, 2008
A PERTH Beach has been closed after a dead 15m humpback whale washed ashore overnight, attracting several large sharks to the area.

The carcass washed ashore overnight and massive bite marks were evident down the whale's sides as it lay on Sorrento beach, attracting dozens of interested onlookers early this morning, PerthNow reports.

The City of Joondalup closed the beach this morning after the whale washed up on the beach near the Sorrento Surf Life Saving clubrooms.

The City is liaising with the Department of Conservation and Environment (DEC) on how best to remove the whale from the beach.

The DEC says the whale needs to be wrapped in netting and removed in whole and it is likely an excavator and or a truck will be used to remove the carcass.

Two sharks were seen circling the whale's carcass last night when the whale was first seen offshore.