AUSTRALIAN Government came under pressure to implement a more aggressive policy after Benjamin Linden, 24, became the fifth shark victim to die in 12 months. He was bitten by a great white shark while surfing off a remote beach north of Perth in July.

A search and destroy mission is continuing for a great white shark up to 5 meters long that killed a surfer off Western Australia's southwest coast. WA's Department of Fisheries announced on last July, beaches remain closed along the popular surfing stretch; about 160km north of Perth, while a boat scours the ocean for the shark that killed Perth man Benjamin Linden.

WA Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said his government was reassessing whether great white sharks should remain a protected species. Five people have died in an unprecedented increase in incidents over the past year. The current policy permits shark killing only after attacks.

Conservationists have criticised the new policy as ineffective and harmful to the environment. Peter Robertson, a spokesman for the Western Australia Wilderness Society, said that while the attacks were a concern, pre-emptive culling was not the answer. “We must can’t go out there and kill every shark,” he said.

Beaches remain closed in Western Australia after a surfer was bitten in two - reigniting the debate over whether great white sharks should remain a protected species. Colin Barnett, the Premier of Western Australia, said that the state would also spend A$4 million on shark tagging and shark-repellent devices. The new plan redefines how and when sharks are deemed an ‘imminent risk’ to public safety. Measures include setting baited lines anchored to the ocean floor to catch and drown sharks if they go to close to shore.

Whether you plan on simply wading in the surf or riding the waves, before you jump in with both feet, read these beach safety tips. Always stay within the designated swimming area and ideally within the visibility of a lifeguard. Never swim alone. If you should get caught in a current, don’t try to swim against it, swim gradually out of the current by swimming parallel to the shore until clear of the current. If people persist on taking chances or not reading signs that are apparent on many beaches of shark warnings then they pretty much get what they deserve.

Sharks that swim too close to popular beaches are to be caught and killed under plans approved in Western Australia after a spate of deadly attacks. If so sharks are born to die. Opposite Philippe Cousteau said 'Among the most feared living creatures on earth, sharks have an exaggerated reputation as maneaters. Despite this our divers took a while to get used to being surrounded by adult sharks who showed a marked interest in their human visitors.' Getting close to nature is therefore not a simple matter of removing as much of the human touch as possible.

‘Every fish in the ocean is in danger. We would never threat animals on land the way we treat animals in the ocean.’ By Paul Watson is the founder of environmental group, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

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