Tributes for WA shark attack victim

Perth's surfing community has paid tribute to surfer Ben Gerring, who died in hospital after being attacked by a shark this week.

Perth surfer Ben Gerring

Family and friends of Ben Gerring have gathered at a beach campfire to remember the "top bloke". (AAP)

Gathered around a beach campfire, family and friends of Perth surfer Ben Gerring have paid tribute to the "top bloke".

Mourners met where Mr Gerring was attacked by the great white shark at Gearies break at Falcon Beach, south of Perth, from 4pm on Saturday.

The 29-year-old died on Friday night in Royal Perth Hospital, where his family had been keeping a bedside vigil.

His brother Rick thanked the "heroes" who helped Mr Gerring from the water and emergency services for trying to save him.

"Ben loved the ocean, but his great love is and always will be Jasmine," Rick told reporters on Saturday.

His pregnant fiancee Jasmine Boyer posted a picture on Facebook on Saturday morning of her and Mr Gerring embracing in a kiss.

Mr Gerring's family said this week that he had been afraid of sharks and would never have gone surfing if he had known of a Surf Lifesaving WA tweet warning that a large shark had been spotted in the area earlier that day.

His death is the first shark fatality in WA since December 2014, when spear fisherman Jay Muscat was killed by a four to five-metre great white near Albany.

President of the Mandurah Boardriders Club Brian Williams on Saturday said his friend put up the "biggest fight for life doctors and nurses had seen for 20 years".

"Our mate Ben Gerring finally caught his last wave here on earth," Mr Williams posted on Facebook.

"I know he is getting pitted off his head up there somewhere. I would like to give our heart felt thoughts to Ben's family. RIP, forever surfing Benny."

Fellow surfers rushed into the surf to rescue Mr Gerring straight after the attack.

The Fisheries Department trapped and killed a large shark on Wednesday afternoon in baited drum lines close to the site and were examining it to see if it was responsible for the attack.

The department's shark scientists have also examined bits of surfboard recovered and confirmed the damage was as a result of a bite from a great white shark.

However, there is insufficient evidence to determine the size of the shark responsible.

No biological material or tooth fragments were detected during the scientists' inspection of the surfboard pieces.

The beaches around Surf Break Lookout at Falcon have re-opened.

But fisheries officers will continue to monitor the area and are warning surfers to be extra cautious.


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Source: AAP



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