Third spearfished killed by shark in Australian waters within a month

Michaelmas Island lies off the coast of Albany, Western Australia (Photo: Shutterstock)

A 35-year-old spearfisher has died after being bitten by a shark off Western Australia (WA), the third fatal shark attack involving a spearfisher in Australia in less than a month.

Daniel Turpin, from Albany, was spearfishing with his father and 14-year-old nephew near Michaelmas Island in King George Sound on Saturday morning when the incident occurred.

WA Police said Mr Turpin was brought back to Albany Marina by boat, where he was met by paramedics but sadly unable to be revived.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) SharkSmart alert said the incident occurred at about 11.25 am on Saturday, 6 June.

A spokesperson for DPIRD said the man was reported to have been bitten by a suspected 4.5m (15ft) shark and urged people in the area to take care following the incident.

‘Take additional caution in the Michaelmas Island area,’ the SharkSmart alert said. ‘Adhere to beach closures advised by Local Government Rangers, Parks and Wildlife Service officers or Surf Life Saving WA.’

The species of the shark involved has not been confirmed, but it is thought likely to be a great white based on its size and the known presence of great whites in the area.

Turpin’s family said they were devastated by the loss.

‘Daniel was an adored husband, son, brother and uncle who had a lifelong love and deep respect for the ocean,’ the family said in a statement reported by Australian media.

‘Daniel brought enormous joy to the lives of those who knew and loved him, and he will be deeply missed.’

The incident is the second fatal shark incident involving a spearfisher in Western Australia in three weeks, and the third in Australian waters.

Steven Mattaboni, 38, died after being bitten while spearfishing off Rottnest Island, WA, on 16 May, and 24 May, 39-year-old Michael Jensz died after being attacked while spearfishing at Kennedy Shoal on the Great Barrier Reef off northern Queensland.

Albany Mayor Greg Stocks told the ABC the death had hit the local community hard.

‘For the community of Albany that hits home pretty hard because whilst we’re a city there’s one degree of separation really,’ he said. ‘Nearly everybody would know someone who knows someone from the Turpin family.’

Stocks also paid tribute to Turpin’s father, Wayne, and 14-year-old nephew, who brought him back to shore.

‘My understanding is that it was Daniel’s father and a 14-year-old nephew were on the boat, and the nephew was driving the boat while Wayne was attending to Daniel,’ he said.

‘So incredible, to be honest, that a 14-year-old was able to get himself together to assist and get Daniel to port as quickly as possible,’ he said.

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook offered condolences to Turpin’s family and first responders.

‘I am deeply saddened to hear of this morning’s fatal shark attack in Albany,’ Cook said. ‘This is a tragedy and my thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends, as well as the first responders.’

The deaths have prompted renewed discussion in Western Australia about shark mitigation and spearfishing safety. The ABC reported that Australian Underwater Federation president Graham Henderson said the organisation would review its code of conduct.

‘We’re calling all our people together in a week’s time to have another look at our code of conduct,’ Henderson said. ‘We need to actually make the general public and the recreational divers more aware of what things they can do to mitigate the risks of shark attack.’

While some officials have called for a targeted cull to remove larger sharks from the water, WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said the state government would not introduce a shark cull and said its focus remained on information for ocean users.

‘We have a world-class shark tagging program and obviously electronic monitoring that will alert people when those tagged sharks are in the area,’ Jarvis said.

‘Our primary focus is about having information near real-time data reporting to allow people to make informed decisions.’