Deadly Shark Attack Prompts Rare Kill Order in Western Australia
Following a fatal shark attack on a swimmer in Western Australia, authorities have issued a rare 'catch-and-kill' order for the aggressive shark.
Authorities in Western Australia have issued a rare 'catch-and-kill' order for a great white shark after a swimmer, identified as 63-year-old Greg O'Neil, was killed in an attack off Sorrento Beach in Perth on Friday. The victim's body has not yet been recovered. This incident marks the third fatal shark attack in the state this year and the second overall attack this week.
Highlights
- A swimmer died in a shark attack at Sorrento Beach in Perth on Friday; his body remains unrecovered.
- A rare 'catch-and-kill' order has been issued for a great white shark, the first such order in Western Australia in 10 years.
- Beaches in Perth have been closed until at least Sunday lunchtime, with police boats and helicopters patrolling the coastline.
- This is the third fatal shark attack in the state this year and the second shark incident this week.
Details
Western Australian Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis stated that the "extraordinary step" of issuing the order was taken after water police positively identified the shark involved in the incident. Minister Jarvis authorized fisheries officers to "destroy the shark" if captured, citing the "exceptional circumstances" of the attack and the "hazard posed by the shark." Such orders are controversial in Australia, where great white sharks are a protected species, and a similar cull in 2014 sparked widespread protests.
Witnesses described the harrowing attack, with one reporting seeing the man being "mauled" and "tossed around like a fish" by the shark. Public reports indicated a shark approximately 2.5 meters (8ft 2in) long was seen around the time of the incident. All beaches in the Joondalup area, where Sorrento is located, have been closed as a precautionary measure until at least midday Sunday.
Why it matters
This fatal attack has reignited the debate in Australia about how to ensure the safety of beachgoers. The decision to issue a 'catch-and-kill' order is significant due to the protected status of great white sharks and the controversy surrounding such measures. Authorities plan to increase the use of drones and shark tagging to enhance protection for beachgoers in the future.