Shark Attack in Australia: Greg O’Neill Identified As Perth Victim As Rare Catch-and-Kill Order Issued

A 63-year-old Perth man identified as Greg James O’Neill was killed in a shark attack at Sorrento Beach on Friday, September 18, prompting Western Australian authorities to issue a rare catch-and-kill order for the great white believed to have attacked him. O’Neill was swimming near the shoreline with a friend when the attack occurred. His body has not yet been recovered, while authorities continue searching for the shark.

O’Neill’s family described him as a “generous, devoted family man” who loved the ocean and was a passionate swimmer, New York Post reported. The attack is the third fatal shark attack recorded in Western Australia this year and the second reported shark attack in the state this week. The incident has also renewed discussion about the effectiveness of existing measures to protect beachgoers. Shark Attack at Perth's Sorrento Beach: Swimmer Killed, Beach Closed; 5th Australian Fatality This Year.

Australia Shark Attack: Family Remembers Greg O’Neill

O’Neill was swimming at Sorrento Beach, in Perth’s northern suburbs, on Friday morning when he was attacked by what authorities believe was a large great white shark. His family confirmed his identity and issued a statement remembering him as a father, grandfather-to-be, brother, uncle, husband and friend.

“Our family is deeply shocked and devastated by the terrible tragedy that took the life of father, grandfather-to-be, brother, uncle, husband and friend, Greg James O’Neill,” his family told ABC Australia in a statement. “He was a generous, devoted family man that gave his children so much love, care and opportunity,” they said. “Greg loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and an all round generous, witty guy.” The family also thanked people who had offered support following the attack. Australia Shark Attack: Man Allegedly Mauled to Death by Bull Shark at Great Barrier Reef off Queensland Coast, 2nd Incident Within Week.

Rare Catch-And-Kill Order Issued

Western Australia Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis took what authorities described as an “extraordinary” step by authorising the capture and killing of the shark believed to have been involved. Jarvis said she made the decision because of the “exceptional circumstances” surrounding the attack, the “hazard posed by the shark” and the potential recovery of evidence relevant to the investigation.

The order applies to the individual shark believed to have attacked O’Neill. Jarvis stopped short of supporting a broader cull of great white sharks, which are protected internationally. "White sharks are protected internationally," Jarvis said. "This is not the return to the idea that we would cull all apex predators in the ocean. "I don't want to give people a false sense of security. I cannot mitigate all risks."

Authorities deployed capture equipment, including drum lines normally used to tag sharks, about 1.5 kilometres offshore. However, poor weather and choppy conditions affected efforts to deploy the equipment on Saturday.

Search Continues For Shark And Victim

Police and fisheries officers have continued searching the waters around Sorrento Beach. Police boats, aircraft and drones have been used as part of the operation.

Authorities believe the shark involved was a great white of roughly three metres, or about 10 feet, based on the latest ABC reporting. Earlier reports had put the estimated length at about 2.5 metres.

O’Neill’s body has also not been recovered. Authorities had earlier located what they believed was the shark responsible but lost track of it. A behavioural biologist and shark expert subsequently questioned whether authorities would be able to identify and capture the specific animal, saying great white sharks can travel long distances.

Beaches Remain Closed

Authorities closed beaches across Perth’s northern suburbs following the attack. The City of Joondalup area from Marmion to Iluka was closed while authorities assessed the situation and continued their search.  The attack occurred close to shore, according to witnesses and authorities. A witness reported seeing blood in the water after the attack, while police confirmed that the swimmer had died.

The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of shark-mitigation measures in Western Australia, including the use of drones, tagging and tracking, warning systems and beach enclosures.

The catch-and-kill decision has reopened a long-running debate in Western Australia over how authorities should respond to shark attacks. Jarvis said the government would review existing mitigation measures, including the potential for increased use of drones and an expanded shark-tagging programme. More than 300 sharks have been tagged in Western Australia, including 227 white sharks, according to ABC reporting.

A shark barrier at Sorrento Beach was removed in 2020 because of structural problems and the cost of repairs. Jarvis said she was willing to discuss reinstating a beach enclosure with the local council.  A marine expert, Culum Brown of Macquarie University, has questioned the likelihood of finding the specific shark responsible and argued for greater investment in shark-spotting drones. He described finding the animal as being like finding "a needle in a haystack".

Third Fatal Shark Attack In Western Australia This Year

O’Neill’s death is the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia in 2026. Earlier this year, Steven Mattaboni died following a shark attack off Rottnest Island, while spearfisher Daniel Turpin was killed near Albany.

The Sorrento attack also came days after a 56-year-old firefighter, Mel Ismail, was injured in a shark attack at a beach in Geraldton. He remained in hospital in stable condition, according to ABC.

The latest deaths have intensified discussion over how Western Australia balances beach safety with conservation of great white sharks. The state had moved away from its earlier catch-and-kill approach toward strategies including shark tagging, tracking, warning systems and personal deterrents. For now, the search for the shark and O’Neill’s body continues, while authorities assess whether additional measures are needed to reduce risks to swimmers along Perth’s coastline.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2026 05:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).