Story perspectives

WA Withdraws Shark Catch-and-Kill Order After Fatal Attack

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 10:38 PM UTC · How we work

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Warming seas fuel attacks

Greg O’Neill, 63, was killed by a shark while swimming off Sorrento Beach in Perth on 18 September 2026.
Scientists said rising ocean temperatures are shifting shark migration patterns, which they believe contributes to more attacks.
Premier Roger Cook expressed deep sadness over the attack and offered condolences to O’Neill’s family.
MP Caitlin Collins voiced community distress as the catch-and-kill order revived shark-mitigation debate.

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Community honors O’Neill

Greg O’Neill, 63, was killed by a shark while swimming off Sorrento Beach in Perth, Australia on 18 September 2026.
His family called him a generous, devoted husband, father and community member in a statement to ABC Australia.
Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis authorized the rare catch-and-kill order, citing exceptional circumstances.
Locals placed flowers at Sorrento Beach to honor Greg O’Neill.

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Minister Halts Culling

Greg O'Neill, 63, was killed by a shark while swimming off Sorrento Beach, Perth, on 18 September 2026.
WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis withdrew the catch-and-kill order, citing bad weather and low capture odds.
Joondalup and Wanneroo cities closed beaches from Burns Beach to Marmion until midday Sunday.
Officials identified a five-metre great white that stayed in the area after the attack.

History

Historical Context

After a 2004 great-white attack off Cape Town, South Africa launched its first government-backed shark-spotting program to protect a coastline famed for cage-diving tourism. The approach echoes Western Australia’s licensed shark-tourism system, which saw whale-shark tours rise about 70 % between 2006 and 2010, illustrating growing state involvement in shark safety and conservation.

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Warming seas fuel attacks

Greg O’Neill, 63, was killed by a shark while swimming off Sorrento Beach in Perth on 18 September 2026.
Scientists said rising ocean temperatures are shifting shark migration patterns, which they believe contributes to more attacks.
Premier Roger Cook expressed deep sadness over the attack and offered condolences to O’Neill’s family.
MP Caitlin Collins voiced community distress as the catch-and-kill order revived shark-mitigation debate.

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