Search Continues for Swimmer Killed in Shark Attack Off Perth Coast
Authorities face challenging weather conditions as efforts to locate the remains of a 63-year-old man are hampered.
The search for the remains of a 63-year-old man killed in a shark attack at Sorrento Beach in Perth has entered its second day, with adverse weather conditions hindering rescue efforts.
Emergency services were first alerted to the incident on Friday morning when the man, who was swimming with a friend approximately 15 meters from the shore, was fatally attacked by a shark. A major search operation involving Water Police and the Police Air Wing commenced immediately and continued into Saturday. Authorities confirmed on Saturday that the swimmer had not yet been located. A police vessel remains in the area, weather permitting, while beaches in the vicinity are closed.
By mid-morning on Saturday, search efforts had to be temporarily paused due to strong winds and rough seas, as the Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning for Perth's local waters and coastline. Witnesses at the beach described seeing a large pool of blood in the water following the attack.
"Basically the shark grabbed him again, pulled him back down, and then it went out a bit further," local man Ryan Rowe told The West Australian. "It popped back up again, and then went back down, and they haven't seen the body since." Rowe described the scene as shocking, noting the significant amount of blood visible.
Beaches in the City of Joondalup remain closed, and government officials are conducting land patrols. The WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is collaborating with police, with the aim of identifying the shark species involved for a coroner's report.
Previous shark mitigation measures at Sorrento Beach included an eco shark barrier, funded by the state government and city council, which was in place from 2016 to 2020. Residents have noted that the barrier was removed due to maintenance costs and concerns about its effectiveness in challenging sea conditions. Some locals suggested that enhanced shark tagging and warning systems might be a more effective mitigation strategy.
This incident follows another shark attack on Monday at Glenfield Beach, north of Geraldton, where surfer Mel Ismail, 56, sustained serious injuries and lost a foot. Surf Lifesaving WA's helicopter shark patrols commenced for the summer season last week.