About 100 Year 12 students have entered the water at Cottesloe Beach despite closure signs and warnings issued after sharks were spotted near a beached whale carcass.
The students, dressed in school uniform, swam inside the Cottesloe shark barrier on Thursday, with some venturing towards the beach’s well-known pylon. Parents and supporters watched from the shore.
The group’s swim took place about 1km from Dutch Inn Beach, where parts of a juvenile whale were found at around 6am. Several local beaches, including the enclosed swimming area, were closed as a precaution.
Images from the scene showed most of the students running into the shallow water. One student was seen placing a “no swimming” sign on the sand before joining the group.
The mass swim has become an end-of-school tradition for several schools in Perth’s western suburbs, giving Year 12 students an opportunity to celebrate before their final exams.
The whale carcass was later removed and taken to a landfill site, but the Town of Cottesloe said the closures would remain in place while beach conditions were reassessed.
“All of Cottesloe’s beaches are CLOSED until further notice. This includes the main beach enclosed swimming area within the shark barrier. Do not enter the water at any of Cottesloe’s beaches while the beaches are closed,” the council said.
The summer shark barrier at Cottesloe’s popular swimming beach was installed only last week after the work was delayed by expected large swells. The eco-friendly barrier is designed to allow some marine life to pass through, although sharks rarely enter the enclosed area.
The swimming area was also closed last year after a 1.5m bronze whaler was seen circling inside the barrier and about 60m offshore. A beachgoer who fired a speargun at the shark and tried to reel it in was later fined $200 after the shark swam out of the enclosure.
