Shark Activity Closes Multiple Beaches in Sydney's Royal National Park After Whale Carcass Found

Apr 25, 2026, 06:52

Introduction

Several beaches in Sydney's Royal National Park have been closed after a large whale carcass washed ashore, attracting many sharks. The closures affect Garie, Wattamolla, Era, and Burning Palms beaches. Authorities have advised the public to avoid all water activities in the area.

Main Body

The whale carcass was first seen early on Saturday morning by members of the Era Surf Life Saving Club at the southern end of Era Beach, where it had become stuck on a rock platform. Stephen Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW), reported that lifesavers had observed a large number of sharks visible off the beach and around the rock platform. As a result, SLSNSW sent shark surveillance drones and jet skis to monitor the area. Pearce stated that the organization issued the alert because of the long weekend, the high number of visitors in the region, and the concentration of sharks they had seen. Regarding the whale, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said that the carcass was about 10 metres long and had probably been dead for several days. NPWS described the whale as likely a humpback, although other sources noted that the species had not been confirmed. The cause of death is still under investigation, but NPWS stated that it did not appear suspicious. Furthermore, NPWS is working with local councils and surf lifesaving clubs to ensure public safety. The agency plans to remove the carcass, but described the operation as difficult, noting that it could take several days because the beach is hard to reach and they need to protect staff, the public, and the environment. SLSNSW CEO Pearce added that the beaches would probably remain closed for at least 24 hours, until they can assess the situation again. Public safety advisories have been issued, urging people to avoid swimming, surfing, diving, and spearfishing in the affected area. NPWS has also asked the public to stay away from the whale carcass and to report any shark sightings using the SharkSmart app or website. Pearce specifically mentioned the presence of larger white and bull sharks, warning that these species pose a particular risk to water users.

Conclusion

The beaches in Sydney's Royal National Park remain closed as authorities monitor shark activity and work to remove the whale carcass. The public is advised to avoid the water in the area until further notice, with the situation expected to continue for at least several days.

Vocabulary Learning

assess (v.)
to evaluate or estimate the nature or quality of something評估；評價
Example:Officials will assess the situation before reopening the beaches.
carcass (n.)
dead body of an animal動物屍體；屍體
Example:The whale carcass attracted many sharks to the area.
concentration (n.)
a large number of people or things gathered together聚集；集中
Example:The concentration of sharks near the carcass prompted the beach closures.
confirm (v.)
to establish the truth or correctness of something確認；證實
Example:The species of the whale has not yet been confirmed.
surveillance (n.)
close observation of an area or activity監視；監控
Example:Authorities used shark surveillance drones to monitor the beaches.

Sentence Learning

Several beaches in Sydney's Royal National Park have been closed after a large whale carcass washed ashore, attracting many sharks.
Passive Voice The phrase 'have been closed' uses the passive voice to focus on the result (the beaches are closed) rather than who closed them. The linking word 'after' shows the time sequence. The present participle 'attracting' adds a result or accompanying action.被動語態 'have been closed' 使用被動語態，強調結果（海灘被關閉）而非誰關閉它們。連接詞 'after' 表示時間順序。現在分詞 'attracting' 表示伴隨的結果或動作。
The whale carcass was first seen early on Saturday morning by members of the Era Surf Life Saving Club at the southern end of Era Beach, where it had become stuck on a rock platform.
Passive Voice + Relative Clause 'was first seen' is passive, shifting focus to the carcass. The relative clause 'where it had become stuck' provides additional location information using 'where' as a relative adverb.被動語態 + 關係子句 'was first seen' 是被動語態，將焦點轉移到鯨魚屍體。關係子句 'where it had become stuck' 使用關係副詞 'where' 提供額外的位置信息。
NPWS described the whale as likely a humpback, although other sources noted that the species had not been confirmed.
Linking Word for Contrast 'Although' introduces a contrast between NPWS's description and other sources' uncertainty. The passive 'had not been confirmed' emphasizes the lack of confirmation.表示對比的連接詞 'Although' 引出 NPWS 的描述與其他來源的不確定性之間的對比。被動語態 'had not been confirmed' 強調尚未確認的事實。
The cause of death is still under investigation, but NPWS stated that it did not appear suspicious.
Passive Voice + Linking Word for Contrast 'is still under investigation' is a passive construction (be + under + noun) indicating ongoing action. 'But' contrasts the ongoing investigation with the statement that it is not suspicious.被動語態 + 表示對比的連接詞 'is still under investigation' 是被動結構（be + under + 名詞），表示正在進行的行動。'But' 對比正在進行的調查與「不似可疑」的陳述。
Public safety advisories have been issued, urging people to avoid swimming, surfing, diving, and spearfishing in the affected area.
Passive Voice + Present Participle Phrase 'have been issued' is passive, focusing on the advisories. The present participle 'urging' explains the purpose or content of the advisories, acting as a reduced relative clause.被動語態 + 現在分詞短語 'have been issued' 是被動語態，強調公告本身。現在分詞 'urging' 解釋公告的目的或內容，相當於簡化的關係子句。