A three-metre shark was caught and killed off Meelup Beach, near Dunsborough.

The shark was baited at 7am on Sunday. While authorities could not confirm the species, media reports say it was a tiger shark.

The shark had been shot four times, before its carcass was dragged out of the water.

A commercial fisher tasked with the catch-and-kill order will be patrolling the drum line from 6am to 6pm, Department of Sports and Recreation spokesman Simon Beaumont said.

The fisherman would receive confirmation from the Department of Fisheries before he can dispose or free any sharks that have been caught he said.

Sharks under three metres would be released, while those measuring over will be shot dead.

Despite the tender being awarded on Monday, the name of the Fremantle-based contractor is yet to be released to the public.

Anger over first shark killed

American wildlife ecologist David Steen decried the policy, which was was instituted in response to the seventh fatal shark attack in WA waters in three years, as a "shameful, archaic attempt to pre-emptively reduce conflict with people".

"So sad" and "shame", others wrote on social media.

Sea Shepherd's Jeff Hansen said the shark was "believed to be a beautiful tiger shark" more than three metres long.

"Can we expect [WA Premier] Colin Barnett to be sporting one of those Mick Dundee hats but with shark's instead of croc teeth soon?" the WA opposition's Paul Papalia tweeted.

The controversial program went ahead after federal environment minister Greg Hunt granted WA an exemption under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, allowing the protected great white shark to be killed.

In a notice to mariners warning of navigational hazards, the WA government said drum lines would soon be deployed in metropolitan waters, extending from Quinns Rock Beach to Warnbro beach.

It has been forced to rope in its own Department of Fisheries officers to do the work after commercial operators pulled out following threats from activists.

The lines, which are attached to floating boys, bear the warning: "No vessel is to approach, moor to or interfere with the above equipment at any time - modified penalties will apply."

Plans to set drumlines off Perth beaches had been delayed, after potential contractors pulled out because of alleged threats from environmental activists.

Fisheries officers have been ordered to perform that duty, beginning within weeks, according to the state government.

Protesters, however, are determined to disrupt those efforts, with a national rally planned for February 1.

Mr Hunt confirmed that after this summer trial, which ends on April 30, there would have to be a full federal environment act assessment if the policy was to continue.

- with AAP