Shark kills swimmer at Sorrento Beach; northern Perth beaches closed

A 63-year-old swimmer, Greg O'Neill, was killed by a great white shark about 15 metres offshore at Sorrento Beach on Friday morning. Witnesses described seeing a large pool of blood in the water and the shark thrashing the victim. O'Neill's body has not been recovered.

Authorities closed all beaches in the City of Joondalup, stretching nearly 12 kilometres from Marmion to Iluka, as a precaution. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis issued a rare catch-and-kill order targeting the specific shark believed responsible.

“Greg loved the ocean and was a passionate swimmer, a sports lover, a dedicated worker and an overall generous and witty man.”

The Department of Primary Industries deployed a drum line 1.5 kilometres from shore on Saturday but removed it that afternoon after detecting no shark activity. Officials concluded the likelihood of capturing the animal had diminished significantly.

Beaches were expected to reopen Sunday at 10:00 am local time once the capture operation was suspended. Police vessels and helicopters continued to patrol the coastline during the closure.

This marks the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia in 2026, following deaths near Rottnest Island and another location earlier in the year. The government is reviewing safety measures amid renewed public debate over shark mitigation policies.