Arabic version: أستراليا الغربية تأمر بالقضاء على قرش بعد وفاة سباح في بيرث

According to The Guardian, the Western Australian government has issued a catch-and-kill order for a shark that fatally attacked a swimmer at Sorrento Beach in Perth’s north. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said she authorised fisheries officers to destroy the animal if it is captured because it had been positively identified, remained nearby after the fatal attack and was considered an ongoing threat.

Emergency services were called to the popular beach at about 10.30am on Friday following reports of a shark-related incident. Western Australia police said a 63-year-old man was bitten while swimming along the coast and died from his injuries. Water and air personnel carried out an extensive search, but the swimmer’s body had not been found.

Water police asked for the shark to be captured to help recover potential coronial evidence. Police and fisheries officials remained in the area on Saturday, while nearby beaches were closed. Authorities urged locals to stay out of the water until the beach is declared safe for swimming.

Jarvis offered condolences to the man’s family and loved ones, calling the incident sad and distressing. Local state MP Liam Staltari also said the community was deeply saddened. The death followed a shark attack on Monday at remote Glenfield Beach, north of Geraldton on Western Australia’s mid-west coast, where a surfer suffered serious injuries and was reported in stable condition.