By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-19 14:05:35 | Updated at 2026-09-19 15:49:20
1 hour ago
A catch-and-kill order has been issued for a great white shark after a horror attack which saw a bloodied swimmer “tossed around like a fish.”
Greg O’Neill, 63, was killed at a popular beach on the coast of Western Australia on Friday, and his body has still not been recovered.
Authorities have said beaches across the coast will remain closed until at least Sunday, including the WA capital, Perth.
The attack on Mr O’Neill marks the second attack in Western Australia this week, and a third fatal attack in the state this year.
The tragic incident took place at Sorrento Beach.
In a statement, his family said they were “deeply shocked and devastated by the terrible tragedy.
“Greg loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and an all-round generous, witty guy.”
His family visited the beach on Saturday, where locals laid flowers.
Greg O’Neill was killed by a great white shark on Friday
O'NEILL FAMILY
A witness told ABC two men were swimming, but only one made it back to shore, and that she could see “a pool of blood” in the water.
Another told WAtoday that she saw the man being “mauled” as the shark “tossed him around like a fish.”
Catch-and-kill orders are extremely rare in Australia, with great white sharks being a protected species.
WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said she took the “extraordinary step” of issuing the order after water police spotted the shark on Saturday morning and “positively identified as the shark involved in the incident”.
The order is thought to be the first of its kind in a decade (file photo)
GETTY
The minister said she authorised fisheries officers to "destroy the shark” if they could capture it because of the “exceptional circumstances” of the attack and the “hazard posed by the shark”.
It is believed to be the first time in a decade that an order has been issued in WA, the minister added.
The minister also said the use of drones and tagging would increase to help protect beachgoers.
It comes weeks after Leah Stewart, 34, a teacher from Australia, spoke of her gratitude after surviving a devastating shark attack at one of Sydney's most popular beaches.
Ms Stewart was swimming at Coogee Beach on the morning of June 13 when she was savaged by what she later described as a “monster”.
The attack left her with severe bite wounds across her body and legs, causing substantial blood loss.
Surgeons were forced to amputate one of her arms and she was placed into an induced coma whilst undergoing numerous operations.
More than two months on from the harrowing ordeal, the 34-year-old has now shared a message expressing profound thankfulness for her survival and the overwhelming public support she has received.
