Man dies after shark bite near Michaelmas Island, Western Australia

Police in Western Australia have confirmed that a 35‑year‑old diver died after being bitten by a suspected 4.5‑metre (14.8‑ft) shark while spearfishing off Michaelmas Island, south‑east of Perth.

The victim was struck by the shark at 11:25 local time (03:25 GMT) on Saturday. He was extracted from the water by a boat and taken to shore, where paramedics attempted resuscitation but were unable to revive him.

Authorities say they will prepare a formal report for the coroner. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been assisting police and urges residents to report any shark sightings.

This incident comes less than a month after another fatal shark attack in the region, when Steven Mattaboni, 38, was attacked by a 4‑metre shark at Horseshoe Reef, north‑west of Rottnest Island.

While shark encounters are more common around Australia than many other parts of the world, fatalities remain relatively rare. Popular swimming and surfing spots typically have measures in place to protect against attacks.

For more information, Australia and Sharks.