Dead whale sparks an urgent warning for surfers after the huge carcass washes ashore at popular Thirteenth Beach in Victoria

A number of Australian surf beaches have been closed to the public after the remains of a dead humpback whale washed up on the shore, attracting sharks.

The 14-metre-long decomposed carcass was found Friday morning on Thirteenth Beach near Barwon Heads, in southern Victoria.

Surf Live Saving Victoria has closed the beaches between Ocean Grove and Thirteenth Beach to protect surfers and swimmers, with a warning not to enter the water.

Photographer Steve Arklay was one of dozens of people who gathered at the scene on Friday morning.

Mr Arklay, who lives in Barwon Heads, about 2km from the beach, told Daily Mail Australia his friends had told him the carcass had washed up on Thursday night.

“When I got there this morning, there were a lot of people looking around,” he said.

“The carcass stinks and it’s getting worse.”

He said the remains of the creature had been floating on the water for some time before being washed onto the beach by the rising tide.

Parts of the whale’s decomposing tail also broke off in the ocean surf.

According to Mr Arklay, local residents had been given permission by authorities to access the beach and get close to the carcass.

“The fisheries (the Victorian Fisheries Authority) were not concerned about the closure,” he said.

‘There were many people walking along the beach’.

It is not yet clear when the whale will be removed from the area, but Mr Arklay said it was unlikely the remains would be moved in the next few days.

According to an alert issued last night by Vic Emergency, VFA officials are assisting game and park rangers with the management of the carcass.

“The Victorian Fisheries Authority monitors shark sightings and advises the relevant authorities,” the warning said.

Mr Arklay said the last time a whale carcass washed up on the beach was four years ago, with locals furious that the remains had been left to rot.

VFA officials are assisting conservationists and park rangers with the management of the carcass (pictured) and people have been warned of shark activity in the area

Whales are protected under Victoria’s Wildlife Act. People and their dogs are not allowed within 300 metres of whales.

The law also prohibits people from interfering with the animal or possessing parts of it.

Humpback whales migrate from Antarctic waters to the waters off eastern Australia and back again between April and November.

They usually mate and give birth in the warmer waters, offering people the opportunity to spot spectacular whales during their migration.