A firefighter, Mel Ismail, is in serious but stable condition after a shark attacked him while he was surfing off Glenfield Beach near Geraldton on Sept. 14. He was taken to Geraldton Hospital and a damaged surfboard recovered from the scene is being tested to identify the species involved. The beach was closed while authorities investigated; local MP Kirrilee Warr called for a review of shark mitigation funding, and Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis defended the state's mitigation measures. The incident follows two fatal shark attacks in Western Australia earlier in 2026.
Firefighter Survives Shark Attack Off Geraldton; Damaged Surfboard Sent for Testing
North Steyne Beach in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is shown in January after a man was attacked by a shark there. A surfer was attacked by a shark Monday at Glenfield Beach in Western Australia and is in serious but stable condition. File photo by Bianca de Marchi/EPA
Sept. 14 — A man was in serious but stable condition Monday after being attacked by a shark while surfing off Glenfield Beach, near Geraldton in Western Australia.
The surfer, identified as firefighter Mel Ismail, who is in his 50s, was struck at about 9:45 a.m. and was rushed by ambulance to Geraldton Hospital. Officials recovered a damaged surfboard at the scene; authorities are testing it to help determine the species involved.
Local Response and Investigation
The beach was closed and residents were asked to avoid the area while the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development coordinated with local officials to respond to the incident. The department noted no shark activity had been reported to city authorities in the 30 days prior to the attack.
Political Reactions
Kirrilee Warr, the opposition fisheries spokesperson and member of Parliament for Geraldton, said Ismail is a well-known local surfer and urged the state government to review its shark mitigation funding and effectiveness.
"We know millions of dollars are being poured into this mitigation strategy, but it simply is not good enough to stand there and say, 'we have this strategy,' but not know if it works," Warr said.
Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis defended the government's approach, saying Western Australia "has one of the most comprehensive shark hazard mitigation strategies in the country, using a range of measures to help keep people as safe as possible while they enjoy our coastline."
Context
ABC News reported two fatal shark attacks earlier in 2026 in Western Australia: a Perth man killed while spearfishing off Rottnest Island in May and a diver killed near Michaelmas Island in June. Authorities continue to investigate the Geraldton incident and to monitor local waters.
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