The family of the Adelaide teacher taken by a shark on the weekend say their hearts are breaking, but stressed he would not want the animal to be hunted down.
Sam Kellett, 28, was spear fishing with friends about 100 metres off the popular Goldsmith beach, south of Edithburgh, on the Yorke Peninsula, on Saturday when he was attacked.
A search is continuing for his body, after police divers on Sunday found his spear gun and lead weights.
The experienced diver was due to compete on Sunday at the 2014 Freedive Extreme York Peninsula Spearfishing Competition.
On Monday, his family released a statement saying their son and brother had been in the best stage of his life.
"He loved his teaching, his partner, family and friends, his diving, rock climbing and newly discovered snowboarding.
"As a close knit family, nothing was left unsaid. Sam knew daily how much we loved him, and he told us daily how much he loved us.
"Our hearts are breaking."
Despite the way he was killed, the family said he had a great love of the ocean and had respect for sharks.
"He knew he was a visitor in their backyard, and the last thing he would want is for this shark, or any other, to be hunted down and culled."
A memorial service is being planned for family, friends and colleagues.
Mr Kellett was in his second year of teaching English and English as a Second Language at Glenunga International High School.
Principal Wendy Johnson said his loss would be profoundly felt by the school community.
"Though Sam was new to teaching, his enthusiasm for his work and his students was always evident," she said.
"Sam was passionate about every student achieving their best and they will miss him deeply.
"He was always smiling, possessed a wonderful sense of humour, and was excited about his future career.
"To me and many others, he represented the future of teaching."
Department of Education and Child Development chief executive Tony Harrison said counselling and other support services would be offered to the school community.
"We have lost a fine young man and a dedicated teacher who had a most promising career of achievement ahead of him, not only for himself but those he taught," he said.
