A shark warning was issued along the southern Cape coastline on Friday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said.
“ (Bathers were urged) to exercise caution following reports of increased shark activity in the vicinity of Buffels Bay and Knysna, following the beaching of a Brydes whale carcass,” spokesman Craig Lambinon said.
Other affected areas were Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and Wilderness.
On Thursday, the carcass of a 14m whale washed up on the rocks at Buffels Bay.
In a statement, Lambinon said fishermen and boaters were informing the NSRI of an apparent increase in shark activity around the site.
“It is normal behaviour for sharks to forage on whale carcasses. Sharks are attracted to the overspill of waste into the sea during the efforts made to remove the carcass,” he said.
“While progress is well underway by the municipality to remove the carcass by cutting it up and removing it by road, until the site is cleared this cautionary notice remains in place.” – Sapa