A KILL order has been issued for a 3-4 metre white shark that has forced the closure of local beaches over the holiday period.
Drumlines have been baited to catch the shark that has been menacing beaches around Dunsborough, including Meelup, Bunker Bay and Eagle Bay.
Fisheries’ regional manager Tony Cappelutti said the plan to catch and kill the shark was in response to the high number of sightings.
“The unprecedented shark activity around the South West over the Christmas and New Year period meant the State Government’s policy for sharks posing an imminent threat was being met.
“There are many areas in the region which are not patrolled and this has contributed to the action taken over the past few days.
“The repeated confirmed sightings and pattern of behaviour during the peak holiday season is particularly concerning.”
Two vessels have been on the water setting hooks and lines for the shark.
The PV Hamelin has the capacity to retrieve and destroy a shark if required.
Mr Cappelutti said there was another sighting early on Tuesday morning.
“A two metre tiger shark was caught on Sunday and there was a hit on another line, but we have no idea what species that was.”
The decision of when to stop the hunt will be made by the fisheries director general with advice from the department’s operational staff.
