A 63‑year‑old man was killed after a shark attack off Sorrento Beach in Perth’s northern suburbs on Friday morning. Emergency services were called at about 10.30 am following reports of a shark‑related incident. Police confirmed the man had been bitten while swimming near shore and died from his injuries. His body has not yet been recovered, and extensive searches by water and air personnel have not located him.
Western Australian fisheries minister Jackie Jarvis authorised a catch‑and‑kill order for the shark after it was positively identified and remained in the area following the fatal attack. She explained that the shark posed an ongoing threat and that capturing it could aid the recovery of potential coronial evidence. The order allows fisheries officers to destroy the shark if captured. Jarvis noted that this is the first such order in a decade and that a widespread cull of white sharks is not appropriate.
The incident prompted the closure of Sorrento Beach and other beaches along the City of Wanneroo coastline until noon on Saturday. Local authorities urged residents to stay out of the water until the beach was declared safe. Police and fisheries officials remained on site, and land‑based patrols continued along the coastline. Witnesses described the attack as sudden and traumatic, with one observer noting a pool of blood in the water.
The local state MP, Liam Staltari, expressed deep condolences to the victim’s family and community.
