CANBERRA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in South Australia (SA) have launched an investigation into the suspicious death of a great white shark that washed up on a popular beach.
The shark was found on rocks at Point Lowly, a swimming and diving spot more than 200 kilometers north of Adelaide, on Tuesday.
A spokesperson from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions on Friday said that authorities would investigate its death amid reports that it was targeted by fishermen.
"Fisheries Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions have responded to reports of a dead protected white shark washed up on rocks near Port Lowly on Tuesday afternoon," the spokesperson said.
"With the assistance of locals, the shark was located and retrieved for forensic examination as part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the possible cause of death."
Great white sharks, which can grow up to 6.4 meters in length, are considered a "vulnerable" species in Australia, making fishing or killing them illegal.
Australians who catch, keep, buy, sell, harm or possess great white sharks face fines of up to 10,000 Australian dollars (7,437 U.S. dollars).
According to a study published by the national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), in 2018 there are approximately 1,460 adult great white sharks in waters off the coast of South and Western Australia with another 750 off the country's east coast. Enditem
