A 35-year-old man has died after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing near Michaelmas Island off the coast of Western Australia. The incident occurred on Saturday morning as the man was diving with family members. The shark, believed to be around 4.5 metres (15 feet) long, fatally wounded him.
Emergency services transported the victim by boat to Albany, where paramedics attempted to revive him, but he could not be saved. The species of shark involved has not been confirmed, though several species, including great white sharks, can reach that size. Authorities temporarily closed Albany Marina during the rescue operation.
This is the third fatal shark attack in Australia in three weeks, all involving spearfishers. Earlier this month, 38-year-old Steve Mattabonni was killed by a 16ft white shark off Rottnest Island, and a 39-year-old man from Cairns was attacked on the Great Barrier Reef. In total, four people have died from shark attacks in Australia this year.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook expressed his condolences, saying: 'I am deeply saddened to hear of this morning’s fatal shark attack in Albany. This is a tragedy and my thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends, as well as the first responders.' Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
Authorities have urged caution around Michaelmas Island and advised compliance with beach and waterway closures. While shark encounters are more common in Australian waters, fatal incidents remain relatively rare.
