Second Fatal Shark Attack in Australia Within a Week Claims Spearfisher's Life
A 39-year-old spearfisher was fatally attacked by a shark at Kennedy Shoal, marking Australia's second deadly shark incident in just over a week.
A 39-year-old man from Cairns was fatally attacked by a shark while spearfishing at Kennedy Shoal, a reef site off the Queensland coast south of Cairns. The incident occurred around noon on Sunday, with the victim sustaining a critical head injury. He was brought to Hull Heads, where paramedics confirmed his death.
Kennedy Shoal is a shallow coral reef popular among recreational fishers and divers, known for the nearby 19th-century shipwreck, the Lady Bowen. Prior to the attack, fishers had reported sightings of bull sharks in the area.
This marks Australia's second fatal shark attack in just over a week. On May 16, 38-year-old spearfisher Steve Mattabonni was killed by a suspected five-meter white shark near Rottnest Island, off the southwest coast of Western Australia.
Historically, Australia has averaged more than three fatal shark attacks annually. The recent incidents bring the total number of shark-related fatalities in the country to three for the year 2026.