Authorities in Western Australia closed several northern Perth beaches on Saturday following a fatal shark attack on a 63-year-old swimmer. The incident occurred on Friday morning at Sorrento Beach, prompting the state government to issue an authorization to capture and kill the shark involved. Witnesses reported seeing a large great white shark pull the man underwater at approximately 10:15 a.m. while he was swimming close to shore.
The victim’s body has not been recovered as of Saturday, though emergency services are continuing search operations. Western Australia Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis authorized the catch-and-kill order after witnesses positively identified the shark before it left the area. Jarvis noted that such an order is the first of its kind in the state in 10 years, citing the hazard posed by the shark and the potential to recover evidence for a coronial investigation.
On Friday, officials deployed capture gear consisting of drum lines, which are typically used for tagging, in an attempt to locate the shark. However, Jarvis reported that these efforts could not continue on Saturday due to choppy sea conditions and unfavorable weather. The minister stated that while she is considering increasing the use of drones for coastal surveillance, she would not authorize a widespread shark cull, noting that great white sharks are internationally protected species.
The scale of the threat is highlighted by this being the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia in 2026. Previous fatalities this year include a 38-year-old man killed near a Perth island in May and a 35-year-old man killed while spearfishing on the south coast in June. Additionally, a non-fatal attack occurred near Geraldton earlier in the week. These events may influence future safety protocols for the state's coastline, as officials evaluate the effectiveness of drones versus traditional mitigation strategies.
For the local community, the event has led to changes in public behavior and safety perceptions, with one frequent swimmer stating she no longer feels safe entering the water. The catch-and-kill order sets a rare administrative precedent for managing specific sharks identified in fatal encounters rather than broader population culls. What happens next depends on the search for the victim and the shark; the current beach closures are scheduled to be reassessed by noon on Sunday, September 20.