Fisheries officers in Western Australia have been ordered to catch and destroy a great white shark after 63-year-old swimmer Greg O’Neill was killed at Sorrento Beach on Friday.

Mr O’Neill’s body has still not been recovered, and authorities have closed beaches across the coast — including those in the state capital, Perth — until at least Sunday.

Witnesses described seeing two men swimming together before the attack occurred, though only one managed to return to the shore. One bystander recounted seeing "a pool of blood" in the water, while another reported seeing the victim being "mauled" as the shark "tossed him around like a fish."

The tragedy marks the second shark attack in Western Australia this week, and the third fatal encounter in the state this year.

Catch-and-kill orders are exceptionally rare in Australia because great white sharks are a protected species. However, WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis confirmed she took the "extraordinary step" after water police spotted the predator on Saturday morning and "positively identified as the shark involved in the incident".

Minister Jarvis said officers have permission to "destroy the shark" if captured due to the "exceptional circumstances" and the ongoing "hazard posed by the shark". It is believed to be the first time in a decade that such an order has been issued in Western Australia.

To help protect swimmers going forward, the minister confirmed the state will increase the use of surveillance drones and shark tagging programmes.

On Saturday, Mr O’Neill’s family visited Sorrento Beach, where local residents had begun laying floral tributes. In a statement, his family said they were "deeply shocked and devastated by the terrible tragedy," remembering him as a man who "loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and an all-round generous, witty guy."

The incident comes weeks after 34-year-old teacher Leah Stewart publicly shared her gratitude for surviving an attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney on June 13. Ms Stewart was savaged by what she described as a "monster", suffering severe bite wounds and significant blood loss before undergoing an arm amputation and an induced coma. More than two months after the ordeal, she thanked the public for their overwhelming support.

What we do not know yet is whether fisheries teams will successfully locate and capture the shark off the Western Australian coast, or how long local beach closures might ultimately last. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.