Overview
- The attack, which occurred on Saturday, June 6, left 35-year-old Daniel Turpin fatally injured after he was bitten while spearfishing with family near Michaelmas Island and brought ashore where paramedics could not revive him.
- WA Police are collecting evidence and will prepare a coroner’s report while the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is assisting and urging the public to report sightings via the Shark Smart system.
- State officials, including WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis, say current data do not show increased statewide shark activity and point to existing tagging and monitoring networks as mitigation tools.
- Marine experts warn that spearfishing and fishing can attract sharks by producing noise and by drawing in injured fish from a distance, and they are calling for more research on deterrents and real‑time tracking.
- The death is the third fatal shark attack in roughly four weeks in Australia and has prompted the Australian Underwater Federation and others to review safety guidance for recreational divers and spearfishers.