Commonwealth controls legislation regarding protection of great white sharks THE Abbott government has opened the door to talks on relaxing strict protections for great white sharks in Western Australia following the third fatal mauling of a surfer at the small community of Gracetown in nine years. The death of father of two Chris Boyd, 35, at Umbies surf break near Margaret River on Saturday, brings to 11 the number of fatal shark attacks in the state since 2000, and yesterday state Fisheries Minister Troy Buswell conceded the Barnett government's policy of hunting sharks that had already killed or posed an imminent risk was reactive.