Rare Kill Order Issued for Shark After Fatal Attack in Western Australia
Authorities have closed beaches and authorized the destruction of a great white shark following a fatal attack off the coast of Perth.
A rare catch-and-kill order has been issued for a great white shark in Western Australia after a fatal attack at Sorrento Beach in Perth's north. The swimmer, identified as 63-year-old Greg O'Neil, was killed on Friday morning. His body has not yet been recovered.
Beaches along the Western Australian coast, including those in the capital Perth, will remain closed until at least Sunday as the search for the shark continues. Police boats and helicopters have been seen patrolling the coastline.
This incident marks the second shark attack in Western Australia this week and the third fatal attack in the state this year. The frequency of these attacks has reignited discussions on beach safety measures in Australia.
Witnesses described seeing two men swimming, with only one returning to shore. One witness reported seeing a pool of blood in the water, while another described the victim being "mauled" and "tossed around like a fish." Members of the public reported seeing a shark approximately 2.5 meters (8 feet 2 inches) long.
WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis authorized the extraordinary step of issuing the kill order after the shark was spotted and positively identified as the one involved in the incident. Fisheries officers have been given permission to destroy the shark if it can be captured, citing the exceptional circumstances and the hazard posed. This is believed to be the first time such an order has been issued in Western Australia in a decade.
Minister Jarvis emphasized that this order is not a widespread cull, a practice that has historically sparked significant protests in the state, such as in 2014. To enhance beachgoer safety, the minister also announced an increase in the use of drones and tagging initiatives.
The incident at Sorrento Beach follows another attack earlier in the week. On Monday, a 56-year-old man was bitten while surfing off the coast of Geraldton, approximately 430 kilometers (270 miles) north of Perth. He survived the encounter, losing part of his leg, with assistance from another surfer.
Nationally, there have been five fatal shark attacks in Australia this year. This includes a 12-year-old boy who died in Sydney Harbour in January, and three divers fatally mauled in separate incidents between May and June. Two of these divers were in Western Australia, and the third was in Queensland.