Shark attack off Maria Island on Tasmania’s east coast

A RECREATIONAL scallop diver has been killed in a shark attack at Lachlan Point off Maria Island on Tasmania’s East Coast.

Triabunna Shark Attack: Forensic Police remove the body a diver fatally attacked by a shark off the coast of Triabunna on Tasmania's East Coast BYLINE: LUKE BOWDEN

A RECREATIONAL scallop diver has been killed in a shark attack at Lachlan Point off Maria Island on Tasmania’s East Coast.

The Mercury understands the man’s daughter saw the incident, rose to the surface and let off a flare to get the attention of other boats in the area.

Locals have told the Mercury the attack happened on the Maria Island side of Lachlan Island, which is in between Maria Island and mainland Tasmania.

Police advise boat owners and divers to refrain from attending the area.

Tasmanian Scallop Association president John Hammond said the area was known for its scallops, not sharks.

“It is really shallow, sheltered water,” he said. “It used to be traditional scallop ground when we had more than 100 boats running out of Triabunna.

“It was prolific, producing territory.”

He said other scallop divers were in the water at the time.

“It is an absolute tragedy,” he said.

Mr Hammond could not confirm speculation that this morning’s victim was not a local.

Local dive tour operator Bruce Priestley said sharks were attracted to the area by a seal colony at nearby Ile Des Phoques, but were not common.

“I’ve been here 14 years, in the water nearly every day, and I’ve only seen two sharks with teeth in that time,” Mr Priestley said.

– with AAP