PAHOA, Hawaii >> The state is warning the public to stay out of the waters off Pahoa where a decomposing whale carcass is attracting tiger sharks.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is posting shark warning signs within a mile of where the carcass was found Wednesday on the rocky shoreline in front of the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision.

Numerous sharks are actively feeding on the 50-foot-long sperm whale carcass in nearshore waters.

State and federal agencies are working with a private marine salvage company to remove the foul-smelling carcass. The public is warned to stay out of the water until three days after the carcass is removed.

Disturbing or tampering with the carcass is prohibited. Sperm whales are protected under federal and state law.