Teenage girl killed in shark attack off popular beach identified
Woorim is the most popular beach on the island, connecting the oceanside suburb to a national park popular with campers and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts.
The beach is patrolled by lifesavers south of where the attack occurred.
According to a government website, there are drumlines off Rickman Parade, while protected fish habitat is further north.
Premier David Crisafulli said the incident was devastating.
“For someone so young to lose their life in a shark attack is an unimaginable tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and Bribie community.”
It is the first shark attack in Greater Brisbane since 2006, when 21-year-old Sarah Whiley died at Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island. Since then, there have also been fatalities on the Gold Coast and K’gari, as well as further north, particularly around the Whitsundays.
It comes only weeks after a youth pastor was fatally attacked by a shark off Rockhampton.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner after the fatal shark attack at Bribie Island.Credit: Nine News
Luke Walford, from Rockhampton, suffered significant injuries when he was bitten on the neck while fishing at Humpy Island, within the Keppel island group off the coast of Rockhampton.
Walford’s death prompted a debate over Queensland’s shark control program, with the incoming LNP government vowing to consider an as-yet unreleased review of the program ahead of drafting a new strategy.
The Queensland government has used drumlines to control sharks in the area where a 17-year-old girl was fatally attacked.Credit: Queensland Department of Primary Industries
The government uses shark nets and drumlines to control sharks at some 86 beaches across the state, with drumlines subject to a 20-metre exclusion zone due to the risk of increased shark activity.
In 2024, drumlines caught a tiger shark, bull whaler and common blacktip whaler on Bribie Island, along with a green turtle. According to recently released government data, that was the smallest catch of any area in the program, with the Capricorn Coast (304), Mackay (267), Townsville (222) and Cairns (208) catching the most sharks.
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Whiley’s death in 2006 was the first to occur at a Queensland beach with shark-control measures, and prompted a debate over the use of drumlines near popular swimming areas.
The use of drumlines to cull sharks is unpopular with conservationists and has also been challenged in court, leading to changes in government policy.
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