A rare catch‑and‑kill order was issued for a great white shark off the coast of Western Australia after a 63‑year‑old swimmer was killed while on a morning swim at Sorrento Beach on Friday. The victim’s body has yet to be recovered.
Authorities have announced that beaches along the state’s coast, including Perth, will remain closed until at least Sunday as the search for the shark continues. The order was authorised by WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis after the shark was positively identified by water police on Saturday morning. She said the extraordinary step was taken because of the “exceptional circumstances” of the attack and the “hazard posed by the shark.”
It is the second shark attack in Western Australia this week and the third fatal attack in the state this year. The Sorrento incident reignited debate over beach safety in Australia. Witnesses reported seeing a 2.5‑metre (8‑ft‑2‑in) shark at the time of the attack. One witness told WAtoday that she saw the man “mauled” as the shark “tossed him around like a fish.”
“Greg loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and an all‑round generous, witty guy,” his family said in a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A second witness, Jacqui Rapaic, told the ABC that two men were swimming, but only one made it back to shore, and that she could see “a pool of blood” in the water.
Perth’s Joondalup area authorities closed all beaches as a precautionary measure, with closures set to last until at least midday on Sunday. Police boats and a helicopter were seen patrolling the coastline on Saturday. The minister also announced that the use of drones and tagging would be increased to help protect beachgoers.
The order is believed to be the first time in 10 years that such a measure has been issued in Western Australia, and it is not a widespread cull. The state has seen a larger cull in the past, notably in 2014 after a spate of attacks that sparked months of protest.
Earlier this week, a 56‑year‑old man was bitten while surfing off the coast of Geraldton, 430 km north of Perth. He survived but lost part of his leg, according to a surfer who rescued him. Australia has recorded five fatal shark attacks this year, including a 12‑year‑old boy in Sydney Harbour and three divers who were mauled in separate incidents between May and June.
Beachgoers and local officials will watch closely as authorities continue to hunt the shark and assess the risk to the public. The situation underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing marine conservation with public safety in Australia’s coastal communities.
