Whale carcass off Perth being towed out

A humpback whale carcass is being towed away from the Perth coast after attracting several sharks.

Department of Fisheries spokesman Phil Shaw said sharks were feeding from the dead humpback whale, measuring more than 10 metres in length.

It was first spotted by the crew of a vessel returning from Rottnest just before 10am on Monday when it was five nautical miles off the coast.

The carcass will probably be towed out about 20 miles, depending on swell conditions and available light.

It may break up and drift back towards the coast, Fisheries warned.

Mr Shaw said it was possible the whale carcass would continue to attract sharks.

People are being told to adhere to any beach closures, report shark sightings to Water Police and regularly check the Surf Life Saving Twitter account.

A 17-metre humpback whale which recently washed up on Scarborough beach took several days to remove.

The local council, the City of Stirling, reportedly wants the state government to reimburse the $170,000 cost of the removal.