The NSW Government has announced funding for a three-year study into whether whales buried on beaches attract sharks.

The study is part of the State Government's $16 million shark management strategy and is one of three PhD studies awarded funding.

Southern Cross University PhD student at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour James Tucker was delighted to receive the funding.

"I'm a local surfer and I spend a lot of time in the water, so it's something I'm personally very interested in," he said.

He said the link between whale burials on beaches and sharks was a "hot topic at the moment" but there was no evidence to illustrate buried whale carcasses attract sharks.

"We do know that whales commonly scavenge whale carcasses that are floating out to sea, but whether that applies to buried whales we just don't know," Mr Tucker said.

"This study is a world first, which is why we are so appreciative to Southern Cross University and the Department of Industry for providing funding for a long-term mitigation strategy based on the data we find."

Mr Tucker will investigate whether groundwater leachate from buried whale carcasses seeps into the ocean and if it can attract sharks.

"We are trying to work out what's coming out of the carcass ...what chemical and biological reaction from microbes are happening underneath that carcass in that 'plume' and therefore what's coming out into the ocean as an end product," he said.

James Tucker at Diggers Beach in Coffs Harbour. ( ABC News: Carla Mascarenhas )

A Department of Industry spokesperson said while the washing up of a whale carcass on a beach is a rare event, the recovery of whale populations and beach strandings was increasing.

The most recent example was in November 2016, when a whale carcass washed up near Broadwater Beach South of Ballina.

A number of government agencies worked together to remove the carcass and bury it in sand dunes in the national park.

"When it does happen various local and State Government agencies work together to remove it as quickly and safely as possible," a spokesperson said.

"The removal method is determined on a case-by-case basis and takes into account the site location, proximity to infrastructure remoteness and public health and safety."

The three-year study will begin early next year.