Shark catch-and-kill order issued after swimmer dies off popular Perth beach
News Source
•Sat, 19 Sep 2026 06:43:52 GMT
📰 What Happened
A 63-year-old man died after a shark bit him at Sorrento Beach in Perth on Friday. He was swimming when the attack happened at about 10.30am. Emergency crews searched by water and air, but his body has not been found.
Western Australia's fisheries minister, Jackie Jarvis, said the shark can be destroyed if it is caught. She said the shark was identified and stayed nearby after the attack. It was seen as an ongoing danger to others. Police asked for the shark to be caught to help with evidence.
🔍 The Backstory
Sorrento Beach is a popular spot in Perth's north. Witnesses said the man's friend made it back to shore but was very upset. One witness said she saw a pool of blood in the water.
Just days earlier, a surfer was badly hurt in a shark attack at Glenfield beach near Geraldton. That man was taken to hospital in a stable condition. Shark attacks in WA often lead to beach closures and new calls to keep swimmers safe.
🎯 Why It Matters
Shark attacks are rare but frightening. This case shows how fast beaches can close and how officials decide whether a shark should be caught.
A 63-year-old man died after a shark bit him at Sorrento Beach in Perth on Friday. He was swimming when the attack happened at about 10.30am. Emergency crews searched by water and air, but his body has not been found.
Western Australia's fisheries minister, Jackie Jarvis, said the shark can be destroyed if it is caught. She said the shark was identified and stayed nearby after the attack. It was seen as an ongoing danger to others. Police asked for the shark to be caught to help with evidence.
Sorrento Beach is a popular spot in Perth's north. Witnesses said the man's friend made it back to shore but was very upset. One witness said she saw a pool of blood in the water.
Just days earlier, a surfer was badly hurt in a shark attack at Glenfield beach near Geraldton. That man was taken to hospital in a stable condition. Shark attacks in WA often lead to beach closures and new calls to keep swimmers safe.
Shark attacks are rare but frightening. This case shows how fast beaches can close and how officials decide whether a shark should be caught.