# Rare kill order after Perth shark attack death

> A 63-year-old swimmer is killed at Sorrento Beach, prompting authorities to issue a controversial catch-and-kill order for a great white shark.
- Title: Rare kill order after Perth shark attack death · BBC News
- Summary: A 63-year-old swimmer is killed at Sorrento Beach, prompting authorities to issue a controversial catch-and-kill order for a great white shark. Authorities…
- Keywords: breaking, shark attack, perth, western australia, greg o'neill, sorrento beach, great white shark, catch-and-kill order, beach closure, jackie jarvis, fatal attack, australia
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqwyzdnk442lo
- Published: 2026-09-19T09:19:12.034+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: breaking, shark attack, perth, western australia, greg o'neill, sorrento beach, great white shark, catch-and-kill order, beach closure, jackie jarvis, fatal attack, australia
## Swimmer killed at Perth beach
Greg O'Neill, 63, was killed by a shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth on Friday. His body has not been found.

> Greg loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and an all-round generous, witty guy.
## Rare kill order issued
Western Australia's Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis issued a catch-and-kill order for the shark, the first in 10 years. The order is controversial as great white sharks are protected.

> destroy the shark if it could be captured because of the exceptional circumstances of the attack
## Beaches closed until Sunday
All beaches in Perth and along Western Australia's coast remain closed as a precautionary measure until at least midday Sunday. Police boats and helicopters are searching the area.
## Second attack in one week
This is the second shark attack in Western Australia this week. On Monday, a 56-year-old surfer was bitten off Geraldton, 430 kilometers north of Perth, and lost part of his leg.
## Third fatal attack this year
O'Neill's death is the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia this year and the fifth in Australia overall. A 12-year-old died in Sydney in January, and three divers were killed between May and June.
## Controversial history of shark culls
Catching and killing sharks is controversial in Australia. A 2014 cull sparked massive protests, making this kill order a rare and contentious decision.
## Key takeaway

Authorities issued a rare kill order for a great white shark after a fatal attack, the first such order in Western Australia in 10 years.