On Friday, October 9th, a surfer at Wylie Bay near Esperance was seen by witnesses to have been bitten by a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Witnesses attempted to reach the victim but the shark pulled him under before help could arrive. State officials recovered the victim’s board and confirmed witness reports that the animal was a white shark about 13ft in length. Search and rescue was called off after 3 days, without success.

Earlier this year a diver was killed by a white shark in the same general area.

The majority of shark bites in these areas are from white and tiger sharks on surfers. Marine mammals, such as seals, appear very similar in silhouette to a surfer. Shark bites on surfers are generally a case of mistaken identity. Unfortunately, even investigatory bites from animals of this size can prove fatal.

2010-2019 unprovoked shark bites	Nonfatal	Fatal
Western, Australia	30	9