World
Archived — This article has been archived. The information may be outdated.
WA issues rare kill order after Perth shark attack
BBC News··19 Sept
Western Australia issued a rare catch-and-kill order for a great white shark after 63-year-old Greg O'Neill was killed at Sorrento Beach, Perth, on Friday. Beaches including Perth stay closed until at least Sunday. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said it was the first such WA order in 10 years. It is the state's third fatal shark attack this year.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Beaches in the Joondalup area, including Sorrento, remain closed until at least midday Sunday.
- Swimmers and surfers along the Perth coast face closures while the search continues.
- Jarvis said drone use and shark tagging would increase to protect beachgoers.
What's Happening
- O'Neill's body had not been found when the BBC report was published.
- Jarvis authorised fisheries officers to destroy the shark after water police identified it on Saturday morning.
- Members of the public reported seeing a 2.5m-long shark around the time of the attack.
Why The Order Is Rare
- Great white sharks are a protected species in Australia, and catch-and-kill orders are uncommon.
- Jarvis said the order was not a widespread cull of the kind WA saw after protests in 2014.
- A separate Monday attack near Geraldton left a 56-year-old surfer injured earlier in the week.
all-news
