Heavy machinery crews will continue on Wednesday to break up and remove a rotting 65-tonne sperm whale carcass that sparked warnings of sharks in the Fairhaven area.

A digger and a dump truck are among the tools being used at Fairhaven beach, near Moggs Creek.

A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning said the decaying carcass should be entirely removed by the end of the day on Wednesday.

Heavy machinery will be on Fairhaven beach again on Wednesday to continue removing a 65-tonne whale carcass.Credit:DELWP Barwon South West

The 18-metre long male sperm whale was seen drifting in shallow waters along the coast for several days before it washed up on Tuesday morning, about one kilometre west of the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club.

Life Saving Victoria has warned swimmers and surfers of an increase in shark activity in the area, and to be more vigilant than usual.

At least one shark was seen around 8.30am on Tuesday, according to Emergency Management Victoria.

"Please exercise caution and only swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags," a Life Saving Victoria spokesperson said.

No new shark sightings had been confirmed as of Wednesday morning, but the beach between Fairhaven and Moggs Creek will remain closed until at least the end of the day.

The whale is being dissected on the beach and transferred by dump trucks to a local landfill. The odour from the whale is expected to dissipate as it’s removed from the beach.

The dead whale washed up on Fairhaven beach in the early hours of Tuesday morning.Credit:Paul Greene

"We ask the community to keep their distance, as heavy machinery will be on the beach during the operation and beach access will be restricted at times," said incident controller Barry James.

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism general manager Liz Price said the Environment Department was working to remove the carcass as soon as possible and it was not expected to have an effect on tourists.

"The region, like most parts of the country, relies heavily on visitors and we are hoping for a busy summer peak," Ms Price said.

"It is probably a timely reminder as we head into summer peak to encourage visitors to swim at patrolled beaches and stay informed of the conditions."

The dead whale had been seen drifting in Surf Coast waters for several days.Credit:Jonn Stewart

Museums Victoria senior curator of vertebrate palaeontology Erich Fitzgerald said beachings gave researchers an opportunity to gain insights into a creature they rarely saw close up.

"Despite the tragic circumstances – especially in live strandings – one thing that’s important to note is that wash-ups are rare and important opportunities for scientists, given [whales] are sentinels of oceanic health," Dr Fitzgerald said.

"I suspect that if this partly decomposed whale is on a beach that’s heavily accessible, then steps might be taken to remove it so there’s minimal impact on tourism and use by the locals."

A shark warning was issued after the carcass washed up on Fairhaven beach.Credit:Paul Greene

Fairhaven local Howard Hughes said he had watched the dead whale drift along the coast over the past couple of days.

"He was out at Fairhaven, around half a kilometre out, [on Monday] night as the sun was setting. It's a pinky colour because he has been sunburnt," Mr Hughes said.

"The day before he was off Anglesea and Point Roadknight, so he has been drifting for a while."

• With Rachael Dexter

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