Key facts
- A rare catch-and-kill order has been issued for a great white shark off Western Australia's coast.
- The order follows the fatal shark attack of a swimmer at Sorrento Beach on Friday.
- The swimmer, identified as 63-year-old Greg O'Neill, has not yet been found.
- Beaches in Perth and along the state's coast will remain closed until at least Sunday.
- This is the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia this year.
- Water police positively identified the shark involved in the incident.
Authorities in Western Australia have issued a rare catch-and-kill order for a great white shark following the fatal attack of a swimmer at Sorrento Beach on Friday. The swimmer, identified as 63-year-old Greg O'Neill, was on a morning swim when he was killed. His body has not yet been recovered.
Beaches along the state's coast, including in the capital Perth, will remain closed until at least Sunday as the search for the shark continues. This incident marks the second shark attack in Western Australia this week and the third fatal attack in the state this year.
WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis stated that she took the "extraordinary step" of issuing the catch-and-kill order after water police positively identified the shark involved in the incident. She authorized fisheries officers to destroy the shark due to the "exceptional circumstances" and the "hazard posed by the shark." This is believed to be the first time in 10 years such an order has been issued in Western Australia.
Witnesses described seeing the man being "mauled" and "tossed around like a fish." Members of the public reported seeing a 2.5m-long shark around the time of the attack. The incident has reignited debate about beach safety in Australia. Catching and killing sharks is a controversial practice in Australia, with great white sharks being a protected species.