My heart goes out to Greg O’Neill’s family and everyone who witnessed this horrific loss — no one should have to experience that. That said, knee‑jerk “catch-and-kill” orders are a dangerous and short‑sighted response. Great whites are a protected, ecologically important species, and the best available science shows targeted culls don’t make beaches safer in the long run. If we genuinely care about preventing future tragedies, we need transparent, evidence‑based policies: invest in non‑lethal measures (drones, real‑time tagging, SMART drumlines, better warning systems), fund dedicated monitoring and rescue capacity, and address wider pressures on marine ecosystems — warming waters and overfishing change animals’ behaviour and habitats. Politicians should resist playing to fear and instead work with scientists, Indigenous marine managers and coastal communities to build safer beaches while protecting biodiversity. Compassion for victims and respect for nature can — and must — go together.