National

Board found, surfer feared missing after shark sighting

By AAP Newswire

Mar 10, 2025

Port Beach in North Fremantle (file) — A surfboard has been found with bite marks but no surfer has been sighted off a remote WA beach. -AAP Image

Emergency services are scouring waters for a missing surfer feared taken by a shark after a surfboard with bite marks was recovered off a remote southern beach.

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The "reported shark bite incident" was being investigated at Wharton Beach in the Duke of Orleans Bay area, about 60km east of Esperance, the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said on Monday.

Police said that at 12.10pm, there was a report of a "possible surfer in distress".

"A surf board with evidence of bite marks has been recovered from the water ... but no surfer has been sighted," police said in a statement.

"It is believed the surfer was the victim of a serious shark bite incident.

"A shark was sighted in the area a short time prior, and beachgoers left the water."

Police, Marine Rescue WA, and SES personnel are searching the coastline for the missing surfer.

Two ambulances had been sent to the beach.Â

Surf Life Saving WA issued an alert warning for water users to take extra care in the Duke of Orleans Bay area in Condingup.

There have been three fatal shark attacks in the region since 2017.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press