Western Australian authorities issued a rare catch-and-kill order after a great white shark fatally attacked 63-year-old Greg O'Neill at Sorrento Beach; his body remains missing. Beaches around Perth were closed while police, fisheries and aerial units searched and patrolled the coast. WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said the shark was positively identified and destruction authorised under "exceptional circumstances," stressing this is not a broad cull. The incident is the second recent attack in WA and comes amid a series of fatal shark incidents across Australia this year.
Rare 'Catch-and-Kill' Order Issued After Great White Kills Swimmer Greg O'Neill at Sorrento Beach
Greg O'Neill, 63, was killed in a shark attack at Sorrento Beach on Friday [O'Neill family]
Authorities in Western Australia have issued an uncommon catch-and-kill order for a great white shark after 63-year-old swimmer Greg O'Neill was fatally attacked at Sorrento Beach on Friday; his body has not yet been recovered.
What Happened
The incident occurred at Sorrento Beach in Perth's northern suburbs. Witnesses reported two men were swimming; only one returned to shore. Members of the public said they saw a shark about 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) long near the scene. Local emergency services and water police responded, and police vessels and a helicopter have been patrolling the coastline while search operations continue.
Official Response
Joondalup authorities closed beaches across the city and along parts of Western Australia's coast "as a precautionary measure," with closures in place until at least Sunday while searches and safety operations continue. WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said the shark was positively identified by water police and that, because of the "exceptional circumstances" and the hazard posed, she authorised fisheries officers to destroy the animal if it could be captured.
A police boat and helicopter are being used to search Perth's beaches [APTN]
Context And Controversy
Catch-and-kill orders are rare and contentious: great white sharks are a protected species in Australia, and the policy marks the first such order in WA in about a decade. The minister emphasised this is not intended as a broad cull and said authorities will increase the use of drones and tagging to better monitor sharks and protect beachgoers. The history of shark control measures in WA includes large public protests in 2014 after the government authorised a cull following a series of attacks.
Wider Pattern Of Incidents
This is the second shark incident in Western Australia this week. On Monday a 56-year-old surfer was bitten off Geraldton, about 430km north of Perth; he survived but lost part of his leg, according to a fellow surfer. Across Australia there have been five fatal shark attacks so far this year, including a 12-year-old boy killed in Sydney Harbour in January and three divers fatally attacked between May and June (two in WA, one in Queensland).
Family And Community Reaction
O'Neill's family said they were "deeply shocked and devastated by the terrible tragedy," remembering him as someone who loved the ocean, was a passionate swimmer and sports fan, and known for his generosity and wit. Locals placed flowers at the beach and mourned the loss while officials continue search and investigative efforts.
Authorities stress that search and investigation operations are ongoing and that members of the public should obey beach closures and official safety guidance.
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