Getty Images

Surfer Mauled by Shark in Chest-Deep, West Australia Water

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Mar 10, 2025 11:59 AM ET

In the latest attack on the notoriously sharky stretch of coastline that is Western Australia, a surfer went missing on Monday at the idyllic Wharton Beach in the Shire of Esperance.

Reports say that the man, as of yet named, was in chest-deep water when the attack occurred. A witness, Joscelin Boissieux, told 9News: "There were screams. There were people saying like 'get out', everything - it was a very panicked moment. We heard a scream and everyone got out of the water. The water next to it [the surfboard] was dark, with a shark's fin circling around.”

After the attack, only a surfboard was found with, as expected, bite marks.

According to an alert from SharkSmart, “DPIRD received a report of a shark bite incident at approximately 12:17pm on 10 March 2025 involving a surfer at Wharton Beach. A surfboard has been recovered, but the surfer has not been sighted. WA Police are currently coordinating a search for the missing surfer. Shire of Esperance rangers have closed Wharton Beach.”

This suspected attack is just the latest in the region, which is infamous for shark sightings and encounters. Earlier this year, a man survived a fight with a 10-foot bronze whaler, with the shark chomping a huge chunk out of his board. Then, tragically, at the beginning of the year, 28-year-old Lance Appleby was surfing Granites Beach off Streaky Bay when he was attacked and never seen again.

Not to mention many, many other attacks, sightings, and encounters in the region.

As for the latest attack at Wharton Beach, officials are currently coordinating to search for the missing surfer. “This latest incident is bound to send shockwaves through the community,” reports ABC News.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: