Kill order for shark involved in attack on abalone diver Greg Pickering AN abalone diver attacked by a shark off Western Australia's southern coast has undergone a series of operations, while fisheries officials concede a kill order could target the wrong animal. Greg Pickering, 55, was collecting the delicacy off Poison Creek at Cape Arid National Park, about 180km east of Esperance, when he was attacked by a suspected great white shark yesterday. He was rushed to Esperance Hospital for treatment for bite wounds, mainly to his torso, and injuries to his face. He was transferred to Royal Perth Hospital where he underwent several operations overnight. Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries has set up traps in the area after director general Stuart Smith gave orders for the animal to be killed. The department says the shark poses an imminent threat to campers in the area during school holidays. But Mr Smith conceded it was possible the wrong shark could be caught. "We probably won't know for sure unless there's evidence of DNA that we will be able to test," he told ABC radio. Mr Smith admitted the DNA results would not come back until after the animal was killed. But he added that the size of the animal would also help to determine if it was likely to be the shark that attacked Mr Pickering. Mr Smith said the department's shark experts had informed him that the shark could have swum away from the area or it could remain lurking in the waters for some time. It is the second time a kill order has been issued in WA. On the previous occasion, two tiger sharks were caught and released after they were tagged, but the great white shark the department was looking for was not found, Mr Smith said. A department spokeswoman said a decision on whether to continue with the kill would be made today. Mr Pickering has been an abalone diver for more than 40 years and was bitten in 2004 by a 1.5m bronze whaler while in waters near Cervantes, north of Perth, as he was trying to help a friend. He put himself between his friend and the shark when it began attacking and was bitten on the leg.