Shark attack off Maria Island

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

A RECREATIONAL scallop diver, aged 46, has been killed in a shark attack at Lachlan Island, 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 Rheban, on mainland Tasmania.

“It has been a tragic accident which understandably shocked and traumatised the man’s family,” Inspector Dave Wiss of Tasmania Police said in a statement released this evening.

“Our main priority is assisting the family. We have ensured specialist trauma counsellors have been with them today.’

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

It is believed a Great White Shark was seen in the area in the past few days.

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