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The body of Greg O’Neill, 63, has still not been found(Image: Family Handout)

A great white shark has been targeted under a rare catch-and-kill order after a 63-year-old swimmer was attacked off a beach in Perth, Australia.

Greg O’Neill was swimming at Sorrento Beach in Western Australia on Friday when the shark struck around 15 metres from the shore.

His body has not been recovered, but police believe the missing father is dead following the attack.

Emergency services were called to the beach at around 10.15am local time after the shark reportedly attacked two swimmers.

Mr O’Neill disappeared beneath the water during the incident, triggering a major search operation involving police and other emergency services.

Western Australia Police later said officers had searched the shoreline as they continued efforts to locate him.

“The 63-year-old male swimmer has not been located,” a police spokesperson said.

Officers were expected to remain at the scene on Saturday, weather permitting, while beaches in the surrounding area were closed.

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An extensive search for the animal is underway(Image: 9News)

Family pays tribute to ‘generous’ father

Mr O’Neill’s family said they were “deeply shocked and devastated” by the tragedy.

In a statement reported by 7News, they described him as a devoted family man who had given 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,” the family said.

Mr O’Neill is understood to have been swimming with a friend when the attack happened.

Witness Darrel told 9News that he saw a sudden splash before another man came towards him shouting: “Shark, shark.”

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The dad was attacked at Sorrento beach in Perth, Australia(Image: 9News)

The witness said he later spoke to the swimmer, who was reportedly distraught and apologising because he had been unable to save his friend.

“I said, ‘You couldn’t have done anything.’ I don’t really know how to put it into words, it’s just a shocking thing,” Darrel said.

Another witness, Jacqui Rapaic, told the ABC that the two men had entered the water together but only one returned to shore.

She said she could see what appeared to be “a pool of blood” in the water.

A further witness described the shark attacking the swimmer and reportedly “tossing him around like a fish”.

Members of the public reported seeing a shark measuring around 2.5 metres (8ft 2in) in the area.

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Witnesses described seeing a ‘pool of blood’ in the water(Image: 9News)

Rare order issued to destroy shark

Following the fatal attack, the Western Australian Government issued an order authorising authorities to catch and destroy the shark believed to be responsible.

Experts and aircraft from the Police Air Wing were brought in to help locate the animal, while vessels from WA Water Police and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development were also deployed.

Authorities have since spotted a great white shark close to the location of the attack.

However, it has not been confirmed that the shark seen by officials was the same animal responsible for the attack on Mr O’Neill.

The catch-and-kill order is an unusual measure in Australia, where great white sharks are protected.

Authorities will continue searching the area while the investigation and efforts to locate Mr O’Neill’s body continue.