Stella Berry: Bull shark killed teen, 16, reveals DNA test as shark tagging program moves forward
PERTH, AUSTRALIA: A teenage girl, who lost her life in early February while swimming in Perth’s Swan River, was fatally attacked by a bull shark, DNA tests revealed. On February 4, Stella Berry was enjoying herself with her friends when she jumped into the river to swim with a group of dolphins. But to her and her friends' horror, the predator grabbed her leg.
She was taken out of the river but could not be saved. Berry's death was believed to be the first fatal shark attack in 100 years and because of the horror, it caused, the Government of Western Australia has now decided to extend its shark tagging program. WA Fisheries Minister Don Punch said, “I think [Stella Berry's death] heightened the issue in the public's mind. The risk of a shark attack is not high, it's incredibly low,” as reported by ABC News.
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‘These attacks do happen’
He also stated, “But these attacks do happen and that's why we're putting everything in place that we possibly can do … to advise the public when there is a heightened risk.” As per reports, work has already begun to find ideal places to install three acoustic receivers to find the traces of shark movement and volume.
The devices are said to be worth nearly $25,000 each and can espy up to 500 meters in ideal water conditions. Sharks' real-time activities can also be tracked using acoustic receivers. Since the death of Berry, 10 bull sharks have been seen by Surf Life Saving WA, which Punch calls a “good thing.”
He added, “The more that we can get information about sightings, the more we can upload that into our SharkSmart system and enable people to make informed decisions about what they'd like to do.” Besides, WA's chief fisheries scientist, Dan Gaughan, reportedly explained, “Culling is not part of our strategy. This is very much a research and evidence-gathering process, as well as mitigating risk as soon as we possibly can.”
‘This should have happened in 2021’
WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam said that tagging is good but claimed it should have been implemented earlier. Referring to a non-fatal shark attack on a Perth man Cameron Wrathall in the suburb of Bicton two years ago, she stated, “This should have happened in 2021, after the attack in Bicton. It's vitally important public safety is made a priority and it's extraordinary it's taken two years to make this announcement.”
‘The best daughter we could have hoped for’
The recent development happened a month after Berry’s parents remembered her as “a vibrant and happy girl.” Matt and Sophie reportedly shared, “Stella was a vibrant and happy girl with plans of living in Europe after school. She was a caring person and was a dear friend to many, across a variety of schools in the area. She had an infectious laugh which we couldn't help laughing at too when we heard it.”
They added, “Our thoughts are with Stella's many friends at this time. Stella loved creating art and spending time with her friends, particularly at the river and beach. She had her skipper's ticket and often took friends out on the river for a day of ‘scurfing’. She was a beautiful and loving big sister and the best daughter we could have hoped for.”