Australia just experienced two separate shark attacks this past week, one in Western Australia, and one in the south. Out in Western Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) reported that a 35-year-old man died following a fatal shark attack. The incident occurred near Michaelmas Island, southeast of Perth, while the victim was spearfishing with his family.
The man was reportedly attacked at 11:25 AM local time on Saturday. WA Police stated, “He was conveyed back to shore by boat, where he was met by St John Ambulance (SJA) WA paramedics. Sadly, he was unable to be revived.” His unfortunate death, per PEOPLE, marks the third fatal shark encounter in the region within four weeks.
In the south, per The Daily Mail, a 20-year-old surfer named Alejo Santiñaque survived a shark attack at a remote beach within Yuraygir National Park in New South Wales. “I suddenly felt a hard hit and a strong pull on my foot.” He explained that he fought back by kicking the animal, which eventually became tangled in his surfboard leash and released him. “Everything happened incredibly fast — I don’t think more than two seconds passed between the bite and my reaction.”
The great ocean migration brings with it sardines and the predators that eat them
According to ABC, the area near Albany is known for its seal population, which attracts larger sharks. “We do see an increase in larger sharks this time of the year, particularly chasing the sardine and the salmon along the coast, which is quite normal,” Commercial fisherman Gregory Sharp told ABC. “Particularly in areas where there’s a lot of seals, and the island area in King George Sound is renowned for seals.”
This recent tragedy follows the death of 38-year-old Steven Mattaboni, who was killed by a 13-foot shark while spearfishing off Rottnest Island on May 16. Just a few days later, PEOPLE noted that a 39-year-old man was fatally attacked when he was out spearfishing. He passed away in the waters of Kennedy Shoal on the Great Barrier Reef, off North Queensland.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook shared his condolences regarding the most recent attack. “I am deeply saddened to hear of this morning’s fatal shark attack in Albany. This is a tragedy and my thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends, as well as the first responders,” he wrote in a statement.
Recently, in Brazil, an 11-year-old boy lost a limb during a shark attack and kept asking his uncle not to let him die. For Santiñaque, his friends played a crucial role in his survival by applying a tourniquet on the beach until emergency services arrived. He was later hospitalized for surgery on his foot.
“Considering what could have happened, I was very lucky,” Santiñaque stated on Facebook. “The bite tore through skin and muscle, ruptured one tendon and damaged a few others, but it missed any major arteries. Looking at how serious shark attacks can be, I know I got off lightly.” Another surfer who got really lucky was 61-year-old Andy McDowell, who was also able to fight a great white shark off.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Santiñaque maintains a respectful view of the ocean. “The ocean is its home, and we are the ones entering its environment,” he said. “Sharks are not villains or monsters. They are wild animals and an essential part of the marine ecosystem. What happened was a very unfortunate accident, but it doesn’t change the love and respect I have for the ocean.”
Authorities in Western Australia continue to monitor the situation. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is currently assisting with the investigation into the fatal attack. They have also urged the public to report any shark sightings to the Water Police.
While the local community remains stunned by the frequency of these encounters, officials are working to gather evidence and ensure public safety in the waters surrounding Albany.
Published: Jun 8, 2026 04:00 pm