The victim was spearfishing near Michaelmas Island, southeast of Perth, when he was attacked by a shark estimated to be about 4.5 meters (15 feet) long.

Emergency services said the attack was reported at around 11:25 a.m. local time. The man was brought back to shore, where paramedics attempted to revive him, but he died from his injuries.

Western Australia Police confirmed the fatality, while the state’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development urged the public to exercise caution and monitor shark alerts in the area.

The incident comes two weeks after a fatal shark attack in Queensland and follows another deadly attack off Rottnest Island near Perth last month.

Scientists have suggested that warming ocean temperatures and changing shark migration patterns may be contributing to increased encounters between sharks and humans in Australian waters.

The man, who has not yet been formally identified, was attacked on Saturday morning at Horseshoe Reef near Rottnest Island, about 31 km (19 miles) west of Perth, according to a statement from Western Australia Police.

Authorities said the victim was brought ashore following the incident but could not be revived. Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
State authorities urged swimmers and visitors to exercise caution in waters around Rottnest Island, a major tourist destination known for its beaches and marine life.

Footage aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation showed emergency responders at the scene, including police vessels, rescue personnel and a helicopter carrying a stretcher.

The fatality follows another deadly shark attack in January, when a boy was killed after being bitten in Sydney Harbour amid heightened concern over a series of shark incidents along Australia’s east coast.

Australia records around 20 shark attacks annually, most occurring along the country’s eastern and southeastern coastline, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.