It was discovered in the morning fog and calm seas about 7.30am by nearby residents and beach walkers and was mistaken for a dolphin at first by those above the beach.

Danny Brock of the KI Natural Resources Management Board inspected the fish with Kangaroo Island Council general inspector Les Gullickson later in the morning.

The council was keen to have it removed and the KINRM offered its boat.

Mr Brock took some measurements and floats were attached to the shark to stop it moving away and it was later secured to a boat and towed out to the open sea about 2pm.

Mr Brock said there was no obvious injury to the old fish and he suspected death was by natural causes. He said bronze whalers were common to waters around Kangaroo Island.

He said they were not very aggressive and he was not aware of any fatalities on Kangaroo Island due to the Bronze Whaler.

The last documented shark attack on Kangaroo Island was in September, 2005, when surfer Josh Berris was bitten by a Great White Shark at Cape du Coudiec.