A beach in Perth has been closed after a washed-up whale carcass sparked shark warnings.

The dead whale at the popular swimming spot of City Beach, in the Town of Cambridge, was reported to Surf Life Saving WA around 7.30am on Monday, according to the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

“It is possible the carcass will continue to act as an attractant that could lead to sharks coming in close to shore along this stretch of coast,” its SharkSmart website said.

“Although sharks may be present along the Western Australian coast throughout the year, people should exercise additional caution.”

Several sharks – including one measuring five metres and another four metres long – have reportedly been seen circling the area.

Vision from a 7News helicopter showed two sharks in the water beyond the dead whale and locals watching on from the beach.

Sharks have been spotted near the whale carcass. Photo: 7News

Local Mayor Gary Mack told ABC News the beach would not be reopened until the carcass had been removed.

“We need to develop a series of options of how to dispose of it – today being a public holiday [for the King’s birthday] is not a great time to do all of that,” he said.

“People should not swim in this area at all, or even take their dogs out. There are white sharks that have been identified out there.”

The incident follows a fatal shark attack earlier this month at Perth’s Sorrento Beach, where distraught witnesses saw a swimmer being attacked around 15 metres offshore.

In the same week, a man was rushed to hospital following a shark attack on a remote WA beach north of Geraldton.