Greg O’Neill, a 63-year-old man described by his family as a devoted father and sports enthusiast, died following a shark attack off Sorrento Beach near Perth, Western Australia, on Friday. O’Neill was swimming with a friend when the incident occurred, and his body has not yet been recovered.

In response to the fatal attack, Western Australia’s fisheries minister, Jackie Jarvis, authorized a rare catch-and-kill order targeting the great white shark believed responsible. The directive permits authorized officers to destroy the shark if captured or positively identified. Such an order is considered extraordinary, particularly because great white sharks are a protected species, and it marks the first issuance of its kind in approximately a decade in Western Australia.

Authorities described the shark involved as approximately eight feet long. Following the attack, beaches along the coast were temporarily closed as officials launched search efforts, which included aerial patrols. Minister Jarvis stated that the decision was made due to the “exceptional circumstances” and the danger posed to the public by the identified animal.

The order has sparked discussion, given the status of great white sharks as a protected species in the region, though officials emphasized public safety as the primary concern. O’Neill’s family expressed profound shock and sadness in a statement, highlighting his passion for the ocean, his dedication to his family, and his overall generosity and humor.

Efforts to locate the shark and O’Neill’s body remain ongoing, with local authorities maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent further incidents.