Shark capture gear has been set 1.5km off Sorrento Beach as authorities continue the hunt for the great white believed to have killed Greg James O’Neill.
The 63-year-old’s family has paid tribute to the “generous, devoted family man” as beaches across Perth’s northern suburbs remain closed following Friday’s fatal attack.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been authorised to set the gear in an attempt to catch the shark involved in the attack.
DPIRD officers will conduct on-water and land-based patrols throughout Sunday, with the City of Joondalup beaches remaining closed from the J210 Marmion BEN sign in the south to the J37 Iluka BEN sign in the north.
The closures will be reviewed later on Sunday.
Mr O’Neill’s family was left “deeply shocked” by his death, describing him as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and “all round generous, witty guy”.
“Our family is deeply shocked and devastated by the terrible tragedy that took the life of father, grandfather-to-be, brother, uncle, husband and friend,” the family said.
“He was a generous, devoted family man that gave his children so much love, care and opportunity.
“Greg loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and an all round generous, witty guy.”
The family thanked the community for its “kind thoughts and support”, saying every tribute to Mr O’Neill was “deeply appreciated”.
Mr O’Neill was swimming with a friend about 15m offshore near Raleigh Road, south of Hillarys Boat Harbour, just after 10am on Friday when he was attacked.
Three St John WA ambulances, WA Police, Water Police and the Surf Life Saving WA Westpac Lifesaver helicopter rushed to the scene under priority-one conditions.
Mr O’Neill was later declared deceased. His body has not been found.
The attack has left the tight-knit coastal community reeling, with locals gathering at Sorrento Beach on Saturday to lay flowers at the site of his death.
Wind whipped the shoreline as lifeguards on buggies shielded members of the O’Neill family — two adults and a child — from growing crowds.
They stood together for some time before quietly leaving the beach by a longer route.
Local surfer Craig Young, who was in the water when the attack happened, said the incident had deeply shaken him.
“I was surfing yesterday at the time the shark attack happened, and it was really freaky in the water,” he said.
“I saw the fisheries boat go past and knew something really bad had happened. I just had this feeling something was going to go down.”
Mr Young said the attack had brought home the danger for the many surfers and children who regularly use the stretch of coast.
“I surf here all the time in winter. There are lots of surfers and lots of kids surfing, and it’s just hit home how close it is to a lot of surfers who come along this stretch,” he said.
“I just wanted to come down and pay my respects. I don’t know the guy, but I wanted to give him some flowers.
“It really shook me up. I was quite unwell last night.”
Another local, Debbie Brandy, whose daughter is a member of Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club, said the entire community had been rocked.
“We just can’t believe what’s happened down here, he was a local man, we’ve all seen his face before,” she said.
“I don’t necessarily support a culling but something has got to be done, maybe they need that shark net back in there.”
Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said the decision to hunt and kill the shark was extremely unusual but appropriate given the circumstances.
“In making that decision, I considered the exceptional circumstances of the attack, the hazard posed by the shark, and the potential recovery of coronial evidence,” she said.
The shark is believed to have been a large great white, with reports suggesting it could have been about 5m long.
Mr O’Neill’s death was the third fatal shark attack in WA in 2026.
Original Source: Perth Now
