Overview
- The man was attacked while swimming with a companion on Friday morning about 15–50 metres offshore near the groyne by the Sorrento Surf Club, and police later confirmed he died from the incident.
- Emergency crews including WA Police, Water Police, St John WA ambulances, Surf Life Saving helicopters and fisheries vessels conducted extended air-and-sea searches and forensic teams taped off the scene.
- SharkSmart and witnesses logged repeated sightings of a very large shark, estimated at about five to six metres, and Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis issued an uncommon catch-and-kill order to try to destroy the animal.
- The City of Joondalup closed beaches from Burns Beach to Marmion as a precaution and searches resumed at first light the following day while authorities continue their investigation.
- The death is the third in Western Australia this year and the 24th in the state since 2000, a pattern that has intensified debate over shark mitigation tools such as nets, tagging, aerial patrols and controversial culling measures as scientists point to changing ocean conditions.