On Wednesday, the West Australian Fisheries Department ordered the killing of a great white shark after coming to the conclusion that along a stretch of unpatrolled beach were all the same animal. The decision marks the first hunt for the protected species since the government introduced “imminent threat” guidelines in 2012 in response to five fatal shark attacks. The sightings have occurred almost every day for the past 10 days, about 150 miles south of Perth. The questioned whether the hunt was justified. 鈥淭hese sharks have been causing pretty big inconveniences, but they haven鈥檛 actually displayed any threatening behavior,鈥 Tim Nicol, the council鈥檚 marine coordinator, said. Officials have taken up patrol in two boats and set baited lines with the order to kill any shark in the area they believe poses a serious threat.
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