Dad mauled to death in horror shark attack identified as rare ‘catch-and-kill’ order issued

A dad who was mauled to death in a brutal shark attack in Australia has been identified by his loved ones.

Greg O’Neill, 63, was tragically killed off the coast of Sorrento Beach in Perth in front of his friend and horrified onlookers while swimming in the sea.

The incident has triggered officials to issue a rare 'catch-and-kill' order for the vicious great white, which has not yet been located.

Greg's body still hasn't been recovered, however his family have issued a heartbreaking tribute to him following his death describing him as a 'generous family man'.

“Our family is deeply shocked and devastated by the terrible tragedy that took the life of father, grandfather-to-be, brother, uncle, husband and friend, Greg James O’Neill,” his family told ABC Australia.

Emergency crews at the scene (7NEWS Australia)

“He was a generous, devoted family man that gave his children so much love, care and opportunity.

"Greg loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover, dedicated worker and an all round generous, witty guy.”

Emergency services had responded to a ‘shark related incident’ at Sorrento Beach on Friday morning (18 September) at about 10:30am local time.

The Western Australia Police Force said in a statement that ‘it ​was reported a male swimmer had been bitten by a shark ​while swimming along the coast’.

"It was like a scene from Jaws, where a body is flicked around like a ragdoll," beachgoer Darrel Haythornthwaite told 7 News Perth.

The beach was closed after the incident, with authorities urging people to stay away from the area.

Sorrento Beach in Perth where the incident happened (Getty)

In a social media post, WA Premier Roger Cook said he was 'deeply saddened' to hear of the attack. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is still investigating the incident.

Australia has averaged between two and three fatal shark attacks a year since 2000, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database.

Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said: "Western Australia has one of the most comprehensive shark hazard mitigation strategies in the country, using a range of measures to help keep people as safe as possible while they enjoy our coastline."

Now, a rare 'catch and kill' order has been issued, which are controversial in Australia because great white sharks are a protected species.

Jarvis said she gave the go ahead due to the 'exceptional circumstance's of the attack and the 'hazard posed by the shark'.

The minister added that she authorised fisheries officers to 'destroy the shark' if it could be captured in what is believed to be the first time in 10 years that such an order had been issued in Western Australia.