Shark kills surfer in latest Western Australia attack

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/23/shark-kills-surfer-western-australia

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Another fatal shark attack in the waters off Western Australia has prompted beach closures and a catch and kill order.

A man in his 20s was pulled dead from the waters near Gracetown in the state's southwest about 9am on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said the man's arm was missing and there was no sign of life when he was dragged to shore.

His body was flown out of the area on a helicopter. Police were trying to identify the man, who was surfing on his own when the attack occurred.

A WA police spokesman said the victim was a male in his 20s.

The state's Department of Fisheries released a statement saying they had issued an imminent threat order, which gives officers authority to catch and kill the shark if spotted.

Fisheries and Marine Officers were en route with capture gear to deploy in the surrounding waters as soon as possible.

The beaches near Left Handers surf break were closed and water users advised to avoid the area. A number of other local beaches were also closed, initially for 24 hours.

Gracetown has now been the site of three fatal shark attacks in the past 10 years. Surfer Bradley Smith was taken by a great white at a beach near the town in 2004, and another surfer, Nicholas Edwards, was killed by a shark at nearby South Point.

Last month abalone diver Greg Pickering was bitten on the face and body by a 5m great white while diving off the coast of Esperance.

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