After the tragic incident of a shark killing Ben Linden, a 24 year old cabinetmaker from Perth, Australia on July 14, who was surfing about 600 feet offshore. Many question if protecting the great white shark is even a good idea. The shark bit Ben in half and even when it was driven away by a rescuer on a jet ski, it came back to feed on Ben whose remains have not been found as yet. This incident marks the fifth fatal shark attack off Western Australia in the last 10 months. Such attacks have made federal officials think about their decision on havinf great white sharks in the list of protected vulnerable species.

Western Australia's fisheries minister, Norman Moore has called for a review of shark behavior and their population citing `significant anecdotal evidence' in the increased numbers of great whites. Mr. Norman Moore said, "I think we need to have another look now to see whether or not there's been a significant increase in great white numbers since they became protected. And if that's the case, should they still be on a protected list?"

Great white sharks have been protected by the Australian federal law since 1999.