Victorian surfer killed in shark attack would not have backed a cull, family says

The devastated family of a Victorian surfer killed in a horrific shark attack in Western Australia say he knew the risks and would not have supported any attempt to kill the shark responsible for his death.

The body of Steven Payne is yet to be recovered. Picture: Supplied

The family of a Victorian surfer who died during a horrific shark attack say they are “devastated” but would not support culling sharks off the Western Australian coast.

The body of Steven Payne, 37, was on Thursday yet to be recovered after he was mauled by a shark at Wharton Beach near Esperance, on the southern coast of WA on Monday.

Mr Payne, a CFA firefighter from Geelong who grew up in New Zealand, has been remembered as a “gentle giant” who “loved his partner deeply”.

His family say he had just surfed “one of the best waves of his life” as he shared a wave with a dolphin just a week ago.

“Steve was one of the best. A gentle giant at 6’4, he was smart, kind, funny, laidback and very practical,” the family said in a statement released through WA Police.

“While he wasn’t a man of many words, he loved his partner deeply, cherished his family, thought the world of his best mates, and was devoted to his dog.

“Steve would not support a shark cull or any attempt to kill the shark responsible. He and his partner spent a lot of time in the ocean together, had enjoyed many dives with sharks and knew the risks.

“We are devastated to have lost Steve.”

Passionate surfer Steven Payne died in a shark attack in Western Australia. Picture: Facebook

Mr Payne was attacked while surfing off a remote beach in Western Australia. Picture: 9 News

Mr Payne had been with his partner for 12 years and “adored” their rescue dog, Poppy, who they adopted seven years ago.

Mr Payne’s partner is understood to have witnessed Monday afternoon’s tragedy from the shore.

They had only been five weeks into a six-month travelling holiday and were due to meet family in Western Australia.

WA Police this week confirmed the search for his body had been suspended “pending any new information being received”.

Only his surfboard with bite marks has so far been found.

Steven Payne, pictured with his rescue dog, Poppy, grew up in New Zealand. Picture: Supplied

It is understood a civilian’s drone happened to have captured disturbing footage moments after the attack in chest-high waters about 50m from shore.

“It shows a lot of blood, the shark and some other things in there I don’t particularly want to go into,” Senior Sergeant Christopher Taylor said.

“I don’t think anybody else needs to see other than maybe the coroner and some other experts who will determine the type of shark and size.”

Mr Payne, who grew up in New Zealand, most recently volunteered for the CFA in the disaster and humanitarian relief sector and had been living in Geelong.

Mr Payne had also worked and volunteered at a number of marketing and sales firms in Victoria after graduating from the University of Otago in the late 2000s.

His family says his passion for surfing grew at Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island.

The keen surfer had also volunteered as a firefighter during his time living in New South Wales before shifting to Victoria.

Mr Payne’s gruesome death is the latest in a string of shark attacks in Western Australia in recent years. Picture: 9 News

WA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed there was no active search for the shark that killed Mr Payne.

WA’s official government channel for shark sightings has reported two other sightings in Esperance on March 9 and 11.

Wharton Beach, about 60km east of Esperance, is tipped to reopen to the public on Thursday.

Mr Payne’s surfboard is expected to be tested by authorities to determine the type of shark that attacked him on Monday afternoon.

Mr Payne’s gruesome death is the latest in a string of shark attacks in Western Australia in recent years.

Esperance and its surrounding beaches have been the site of four of the last seven fatal attacks in that state.

Teenager Laeticia Brouwer died in a horrific shark attack as she surfed with her father near Esperance in 2017 before the 17-year-old’s body was pulled from the water.

Diver Gary Johnson, 57, was also killed by a shark at his favourite beach just a few kilometres from Esperance in 2020.

Surfer Andrew Sharpe was also killed in that area the same year.

A 15-year-old boy also lost his leg to a shark bite at Wharton Beach in 2006.