A father-of-two killed in a confronting shark attack is being remembered as a one-of-a-kind gentleman, while his mates have been praised for rushing into the water to bring him back to shore.
The shark attack victim, identified as 38-year-old Steven "Mattas" Mattaboni, was killed while diving at Horseshoe Reef near Rottnest Island in Western Australia on Saturday.
Mattaboni was pulled from the water after being bitten and was rushed by boat to a jetty at Geordie Bay on the north side of the island.
Paramedics were unable to revive him.
Family, friends and political leaders paid tribute to the avid fisherman on Sunday, with his AFL side Kingsley Football Club remembering the premiership player as a much-loved friend.
"Mattas was one of the most genuine people you could meet," the club said on social media.
"He had a smile and presence that could light up a room, and he will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing him."
'A truly one-of-a-kind gentleman'
Mattaboni's wife Shirene issued a statement to media outlets remembering the fiercely loyal, endlessly generous and devoted father of two daughters – one who turns three in June and a four-month-old baby.
She said the avid fisherman and spearfisherman lived and breathed the ocean and was always in tune with the sea.
"The world has lost a truly one-of-a-kind gentleman, and our daughters have lost an incredible father far too soon," she said.
Police minister Reece Whitby said the incident was extremely confronting and his thoughts were with Mattaboni's loved ones.
"He was someone who loved the ocean and loved diving, and it's just incredibly tragic," he told reporters.
Whitby praised first responders, emergency crews and staff who worked to save Mattaboni.
"I want to acknowledge the diver's friends who played a critical role in doing the best they could to bring the young diver back to shore," he said.
A 5m white shark was spotted 80m offshore about the time of the attack, according to Surf Life Saving WA.
Rottnest Island, which is 11km long and 4.5km wide, is a popular tourist stopover 19km off the coast of Fremantle.
Despite the tragedy, Whitby said the destination would continue to be an attraction for tourists.
"People are aware of issues in terms of personal safety when you are at sea that sharks are there," he said.
Mattaboni's death comes after a spate of fatal shark attacks in Australian waterways.
Schoolboy Nico Antic, 13, died a week after being bitten on his legs near a popular swimming spot at Vaucluse, in Sydney's east, in January.
Swiss tourist Livia Mulheim, 25, was killed by a shark in November while swimming at a Kylies Beach on the NSW mid-north coast.
Surfer Mercury Psillakis, 57, was fatally bitten by a shark at Sydney's Long Reef beach in September.
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