AFP
Australians launch hunt for killer shark
American diver fatally mauled
Australian authorities were yesterday hunting a killer shark which fatally mauled an American diver off the country’s west coast as they considered a cull of the giant marine predators.
The US citizen, 32 and reportedly from Texas, was brutally savaged by what was believed to be a three-metre great white shark during a dive off Perth’s Rottnest Island on Saturday.
Witnesses saw a flurry of bubbles before the man’s body surfaced with horrific injuries.
It is the third fatal shark attack off the west coast in two months.
Fisheries officials said a kill order was immediately issued for the shark and six bait lines had been laid in the vicinity of the attack hoping to catch the creature responsible.
Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett said he would consider a shark cull, as well as greater patrols, aerial surveillance and netting off of beaches and boosting the number of sharks fishermen were allowed to catch.
“There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence about the numbers of sharks increasing,” said Mr Barnett.
“Culling could be considered if those sharks are staying around popular beach swimming areas.”
But the premier said sharks were “natural predators” and though he was very concerned at the surge in fatalities there was little that could practically be done. “I think most people who fish and dive understand this is the domain of marine life and the shark is the top predator,” he said.
“All West Australians really need to take special care in going to the beach and swimming, particularly if they go diving,” he added.
Conditions on Saturday were overcast and still – considered prime shark attack weather.
Swimmer Bryn Martin, 64, was thought to have been taken by a great white, also known as a white pointer, two weeks ago after vanishing off Perth’s Cottesloe Beach.
His bathing suit was discovered on the sea bed with marks consistent with a white pointer attack.
It followed the savaging of bodyboarder Kyle Burden, 21, at the popular west coast tourist spot of Bunker Bay early last month.
Mr Burden was so badly mauled the lower half of his body was torn away, and a great white was again believed responsible.
Sharks are a common feature of Australian waters but fatal attacks are rare, with only 24 recorded deaths in the 20 years up to June 2009, or an average of just 1.2 shark-related deaths per year according to official data.
Popularised by the horror film Jaws, great white sharks are large, rare marine predators which can grow to longer than 6.4 metres.
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Rob Camper
Oct 24th 2011, 21:19
What do you expect???I live in one of the most destructive places in the world when it come down to protecting the environment,its typical Australian ignorance,and trust me there is a boatload of it here,first and foremost this individual was diving alone...anyone who dives knows that this a no no secondly now the authorities came up with "hunt all sharks that endanger humans"??if you or anyone can understand that.On another note the Koala one of the most recognised marsupials in the world is being phased out because people here don't give a toss as long as their beer is cold,all the so called beauty of this land is a distant memory for me afeter witnessing some of the horrific stuff that goes on here,lucky they/we are so far away from everyone else and surrounded by indigenous islands. as it would shed a different light on the country.
Pooch Apache
Oct 24th 2011, 11:35
It's so simple, and yet people always get it wrong! If you don't want to risk getting bitten from a wild marine predator, simply don't swim in beaches. There are alternatives. People have to realize the world isn't ours, to do whatever we want to do with it. The shark hasn't done anything wrong, it was in his natural habitat, doing what sharks always do, prowling the waters for a meal. Me myself, I'm a diver and free diver, and I know there are many risks not just sharks. I still choose to take up this sport, and I accept the conditions nature throws at me while diving. You are either going to be ready to share the ocean with other possibly dangerous creatures (where they belong) or simply don't swim in the sea.
Sure surveillance must be kept at all times, for both off shore and on shore vigilance, because prevention is better than cure, and when a shark is spotted, they could alert people. Nettings also should be removed. Studies have shown, that nettings cause massive deaths of other marine animals, mostly non dangerous to humans like turtles and other fish. Warning signs must be put up like 'Warning, Swim at Your Own Risk, Possible Shark Encounters'
The hunt for a shark just like this after a human casualty, just makes me realize how oppressing and selfish humans can be. In the end, it doesn't really matter which shark gets caught, as long as someone like Australian Authorities gets credited for taking action and getting some sharks caught.
Haven't we caused more than enough devastation in the oceans? What's next, Shark culling?
We sparkle bright with Ignorance and Hypocrisy!
Jason Brown
Oct 24th 2011, 08:56
As much as I regret hearing stories of shark attacks on humans I am also worried to hear that humans are on a shark hunt. This is not like court where an example is set as a deterint to our criminals. No other shark will learn from this lesson, and you can rarely have the guarantee its the right one that was caught.
As noted in this write up " sea is the domaine of marine life and the shark is the top predator ".
my deepest sympaty goes out to all that perish in these encounters