Beach cordoned off after high tide washes carcass back out to sea

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning incident controller Andrew Pritchard said the remains were sighted on Thursday morning but high tides washed the carcass back out to sea.

"The initial plan had been to remove the carcass from the beach during low tide this afternoon," Mr Pritchard said.

Authorities cordoned off the beach and were on-site on Thursday afternoon to ensure public safety.

"Hazards around a deceased whale can include pathogens that can be harmful to humans and increased shark activity," Mr Pritchard said.

"The public should avoid the area and adhere to signage that is in place."

Emergency services altered the public that multiple sharks were sighted feeding on the carcass yesterday afternoon.

The Standard reported that the department had feared a whale calf dead four weeks ago, after a regular whale visitor named Tripod returned to Logans Beach whale nursery without her calf.

RELATED: Southern Right whale calf lost, feared dead

But Mr Pritchard said officers could not determine if the remains were of the same calf reported lost, or how it died.

The department had also planned to transport the remains to Melbourne Museum for scientific study.

"We liaised with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Warrnambool City Council and Museums Victoria to determine next steps," Mr Pritchard said.

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