First kill order in decade after fatal Sorrento shark attack
A great white shark killed a 63-year-old swimmer at Sorrento Beach, prompting the first catch-and-kill order in about ten years.
The man was swimming with a friend about 15 metres offshore when he was attacked in shallow water at about 10:15am on Friday. The shark is believed to have been a large great white, roughly 5 metres long.
Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said the kill order was highly unusual but entirely appropriate given the circumstances. Jarvis told reporters she believed it was the first such order issued in about ten years.
Beaches across the City of Joondalup, from Marmion to Iluka, remain closed pending a reassessment. Authorities will hunt the shark once weather conditions permit.
- 63 years old
- Victim's age
- About 5 metres long
- Shark size
- First in about 10 years
- Order rarity
- Friday, 10:15am
- Attack time
Why it mattersFatal shark attacks are rare, but the decision to issue a kill order signals how seriously authorities view the threat to public beach safety.
AustraliaWestern Australian beaches from Marmion to Iluka are closed; broader community concern about swimming safety on Perth's popular northern beaches.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au·7news.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 5 d ago
