Perth shark attack: Rare kill order issued as victim identified as Greg O'Neill
Western Australia authorities issued a rare catch-and-kill order for a great white shark after it killed 63-year-old Greg O'Neill at Sorrento Beach in Perth. The attack occurred 15 metres from the shore in front of witnesses. Nearby beaches are closed while the shark is hunted. O'Neill's body has not yet been recovered. This event marks the third fatal shark attack in the state this year, reigniting public debate regarding shark safety measures in Western Australia.
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- ✓ Greg O'Neill, 63, was killed by a great white shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth.
- ✓ Western Australia issued a rare catch-and-kill order for the shark.
- ✓ The attack happened 15 metres from the shore.
- ✓ This is the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia this year.
What changed
Victim Greg O'Neill was identified and a rare catch-and-kill order was issued for the great white shark.
Live updates
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Rare kill order issued after Greg O'Neill killed by shark at Sorrento Beach
Western Australia authorities issued a rare catch-and-kill order for a great white shark after it killed 63-year-old Greg O'Neill at Sorrento Beach in Perth. The attack occurred 15 metres from the shore in front of witnesses. Nearby beaches are closed while the shark is hunted. O'Neill's body has not yet been recovered. This event marks the third fatal shark attack in the state this year, reigniting public debate regarding shark safety measures in Western Australia.
Why it matters
Great white sharks are protected species, making official kill orders infrequent. The location is a popular city beach often crowded with swimmers. This incident follows a pattern of increasing fatalities in the region during 2026.
What is confirmed
- Greg O'Neill, 63, was killed by a great white shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth.
- Western Australia issued a rare catch-and-kill order for the shark.
- The attack happened 15 metres from the shore.
- This is the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia this year.
- Nearby beaches were shut following the attack.
Still unconfirmed
- The shark involved was 20 feet long.
- O'Neill was a father.
What to watch next
- Recovery of Greg O'Neill's body
- Confirmation of the shark's capture or kill
- Official government response to shark safety debates
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (16)
- abcnews.com — Shark kills swimmer off Western Australian city beach
- CBS News — Swimmer killed in shark attack in front of horrified beachgoers in Australia: "I could see a pool of blood"
- News.com.au — ‘SCENE FROM JAWS’: Man dead in shark attack 15 metres from shore
- FOX Weather — Swimmer killed in shark attack off popular Western Australia beach
- The Guardian — Swimmer dies after being bitten by shark off popular Perth beach
- Yahoo — 'Like a scene off Jaws.' Shark kills swimmer at busy beach
- SURFER Magazine — 20-Foot Great White Shark Kills Swimmer in Western Australia ‘Like a Scene Off Jaws’ (Video)
- BBC — Perth shark attack: Beaches shut as deadly attack prompts rare kill order
- ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Greg O'Neill identified as fatal shark attack victim at Perth's Sorrento Beach
- Yahoo — ‘Kill the Shark’: Western Australia Issues Rare Great White Hunt After Fatal Attack
- telegraph.co.uk — ‘Catch and kill’ order after great white shark fatally attacks swimmer
- New York Post — Dad mauled to death by shark in front of horrified friend as rare kill order issued for monster great white
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