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Fisheries issue alert after multiple detections of white shark in Perth metropolitan beaches

Headshot of Miriam Fisher
Miriam FisherThe West Australian
Scarborough beach in Perth.
Camera IconScarborough beach in Perth. Credit: AAP

Swimmers are on alert after a white shark was detected in Perth waters for the eighth time in three days, less than two weeks since WA man Paul Millachip was mauled to death at Port beach.

The alert comes after Fisheries advised a tagged white shark was detected in Scarborough waters at 10.29am on Friday morning.

A second tweet by Surf Life Saving WA elaborated that the alert covered Perth metropolitan waters after an increased number of detections.

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According to Fisheries, the tagged shark has been detected eight times over the last three days at six locations in the area, including Bickley Point (Rottnest Island), Leighton, Cottesloe, City Beach, Floreat and Scarborough.

Beachgoers are urged to be vigilant while swimming and keep watch for any beach closures.

Surf Life Saving WA Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter are conducting aerial patrols while Fisheries officers and rangers continue to monitor the situation.

The latest sightings have sparked fears for swimmers’ safety after Mr Millachip, 57, was mauled to death by a shark at Port beach on November 6.

Shark attack vicitm Paul Millachip
Camera IconShark attack vicitm Paul Millachip Credit: Unknown/WA Police

The father of two had been swimming about 30m offshore when he was dragged underwater by a shark.

Four teenage boys in an aluminium dinghy were just metres from Mr Millachip when they witnessed the horrific attack.

The quick-thinking boys called Triple-0 before racing back to shore to warn other swimmers of the danger that lurked beneath the surface.

The search for Mr Millachip’s body was suspended at 4pm the next day, with authorities conceding there was no hope he had survived the attack.

Only his goggles have been recovered.

The four teenage heroes of Saturday's shark attack at Port Beach, which claimed the life of swimmer Paul Millachip. Left to right are mates, Lawson Thomas, Tajh, Hayden Sharpe and Ewan Sayers.
Camera IconThe four teenage heroes of Saturday's shark attack at Port Beach, which claimed the life of swimmer Paul Millachip. Left to right are mates, Lawson Thomas, Tajh, Hayden Sharpe and Ewan Sayers. Credit: Nic Ellis

The City of Fremantle has closed Port beach several times since the attack after beachgoers continued to spot sharks in its waters.

On November 11 Fisheries Minister Don Punch said there was no plan to deploy baited drumlines in a bid to catch the shark.

“The focus is always on public safety as the first priority. Authorities move quickly to get people out of the water and close a beach after an incident. These measures remove the risk to the public and are the best way of keeping people safe,” he said.

“The deputy director-general has the authority to issue an order to capture a shark and relocate or take the animal where there is a serious threat to public safety — this is not a ministerial decision.

“There are publicly available serious threat guidelines the department has developed that outline the measures available to the deputy director-general in circumstances where sharks pose a serious threat to public safety.”

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