South Africa’s The Mercury reports that swimming has been banned indefinitely after 14 tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) were found in shark nets off Scottburgh on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, yesterday. The nets have been temporarily removed, which prompted the swimming ban.

Nine of the netted sharks were tagged and released alive. Dissection of the dead sharks revealed large amounts of whale blubber in the sharks’ stomach. It is believed the sharks were attracted to the area by a whale carcass. An apparent “slick” is also present in the area, as a result of the presence of the whale carcass.

The swimming ban is expected to remain in place until the slick dissipates, and the shark nets are replaced.