Spearfisher Killed in Shark Attack Off Rottnest Island

A 38-year-old man was fatally attacked by a shark while spearfishing near Rottnest Island, Western Australia, on Saturday morning. The incident occurred just before 10:00 am local time at Horseshoe Reef, north of Marjorie Bay. The victim was bitten on the lower legs while on the surface of the water, approximately 20 meters from his boat. His friends retrieved him from the water and performed CPR during the return to Geordie Bay jetty, but he could not be revived.

Sergeant Michael Wear of the Western Australia Police described the injuries as "horrific" and noted that the friends had witnessed the event.

The state's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development reported that the man was bitten by a four-meter great white shark and urged the public to exercise additional caution in the area.

This marks the first fatal shark attack in Western Australia since March 2025, when a surfer was mauled off a remote beach.

Rottnest Island, located off the coast of Perth, is a popular tourist destination known for its white sandy beaches and diverse marine life.