Key facts
- A 35-year-old man died after a shark attack while spearfishing near Michaelmas Island, Western Australia.
- Paramedics treated the man after he was brought ashore, but he died from his injuries.
- A 4.5-meter shark of unknown species was sighted near the location.
- This is the third fatal shark attack in Australia in three weeks.
A 35-year-old man has died following a shark attack while spearfishing off the coast of Western Australia on Saturday morning. The incident occurred near Michaelmas Island, a nature reserve approximately 388 km south of Perth. Police stated that the man was attacked while spearfishing with family and was taken ashore where paramedics attempted to treat his injuries, but he ultimately died from his wounds. Authorities reported that a 4.5-meter shark of an unknown species was sighted near the island on the same day. This marks the third fatal shark attack in Australia within a three-week period, following a death on the Great Barrier Reef on May 24 and another incident near Perth ten days prior. Commercial fisherman Gregory Sharp noted that increased shark activity is normal this time of year due to migrating prey and proximity to seal populations, common near Michaelmas Island. Western Australia Premier Roger Cook expressed his condolences to the victim's family.