A Hobart woman could only watch in horror as her father was attacked and killed by a large shark in waters off Tasmania's east coast.
The man, who was in his late 40s from the southern suburb of Kingston, was diving for scallops with his daughter at about 7am (AEST) on Saturday near Maria Island when the terror unfolded.
After collecting scallops the woman, who is in her 20s, returned from a depth of about 12 metres to the boat, Inspector David Wiss told reporters.
"(The man) did not return to the surface (and) his daughter became worried and went down and checked on her father," he said.
"She saw a very large shark and she saw her father being attacked by the shark."
The daughter went to the surface and raised the alarm by setting off a flare and making an emergency phone call.
Nearby boaters attended.
"They pulled up the (man) using the air hose that he was attached to, but unfortunately he was fatally injured," Insp Wiss said, declining to give more detail about the injuries.
It is unknown what type of shark was responsible for the attack, with the "deeply traumatised" daughter only able to describe it as large.
Fisherman who were in the area on Friday reported seeing a 4.5 metre white pointer shark which was reported to local marine authorities, but initial investigations suggest there was no subsequent radio warning issued.
"When there are sightings the general practice is to send out warnings across marine radio," Insp Wiss said.
"My understanding is that the local police officer wasn't aware of any warning that went out."
It is the first fatal shark attack in Tasmanian waters in 22 years, Insp Wiss added, although it is not unusual to see sharks of the island's coast near seal colonies.
Insp Wiss described the father and daughter as amateur divers with some experience, adding they were licensed to be diving for scallops, and that they had set off early on Saturday morning from a jetty at the township of Orford.
A police liaison officer and counsellors are helping the man's family.
There will be patrols of the area, around Lachlan Island - situated between Tasmania's east coast and Maria Island - by a police boat in coming days and people are warned to stay out of the water.
The death will be investigated by the coroner.
Greens Tasmanian senator, Peter Whish-Wilson, said while Saturday's event was a "terrible tragedy" it was important for people to be calm and take a step back.
"There have only been five fatal shark attacks in Tasmania since convict times," Mr Whish-Wilson told AAP.
"Over time people will be calling for sharks to be killed. While it's tragic news, we want to keep a couple of things in perspective."
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