Police and emergency services are scouring beaches on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula in the search for a "well-known" local surfer believed to have been killed in a shark attack.
Local teacher Simon Baccanello, 46, was surfing at Walkers Rock beach near Elliston on Saturday morning when he was attacked an estimated 30 to 50 metres offshore.
No one else was injured.
Superintendent Paul Bahr, from SA Police's Eyre and Western Local Service Area, said crews would focus on a land search of the area, which is about 650 kilometres from Adelaide.
"Our searches continue today, we have SES [State Emergency Service] and CFS [Country Fire Service] volunteers assisting with the search in the beach around the Walkers Rocks area," he said.
A statement issued on behalf of Mr Baccanello's family requested privacy "as they process this tragic loss".
"The family are grateful for the support of the Elliston community, family and friends," the statement read.
Mr Baccanello joined Elliston Area School at the beginning of the year, as a maths, science and health and physical education teacher.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said he had spoken to the school's principal today and "offered my support".
"The Education Department has put in place wellbeing supports and the Education Director will be based at the school for the foreseeable future so we can ensure that appropriate supports are in place for Mr Baccanello's colleagues and students," he said.
Mr Boyer said the circumstances of the incident were "devastating".
"And my heart goes out to Mr Baccanello's family and loved ones during this very difficult time," he said.
Elliston Area School principal, Chad Fleming, said Mr Baccanello — who was known to students as 'Mr B' — was "absolutely adored by students and staff".
"In our short time at our school, and in our community (and in schools around the world), he had a sincerely positive impact on us all," he said in a statement.
"With his dedication to education and an enthusiastic and positive approach to learning and life, Simon showed care and respect to everyone.
"He was an avid surfer and absolutely loved living the Elliston lifestyle, being a keen fisherman too.
"He was also involved in junior sports, football, and tennis."
Mr Fleming said his "deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones at this time".
"This is a tragic loss of a quality educator, valued colleague, and a remarkable man who was a true friend to everyone," he said.
Mr Fleming said students and staff would be provided with wellbeing support, starting tomorrow.
Mr Fleming described Mr Baccanello as "one of a kind" and an "absolute champion".
"The way he made other people feel was testament to his character," he said.
Mr Fleming said the community would "wrap our arms around each other" to deal with the circumstances "as best we can".
"It's going to take awhile for our community to recover," he said.
Yesterday, State Emergency Services unit manager Trevlyn Smith said Mr Baccanello was "well-known" in the local community.
Superintendent Bahr said it was a "very tragic day" for the "tight-knit" community, and said the family were provided with an update late on Saturday night.
"As you can understand they are clearly going to be very, very distressed, as are a lot of people who were present in the water at the same time," he said.
"It was, from what I understand, quite a horrendous incident and something that I'm sure will resonate across a number of communities for a long time."
Superintendent Bahr said it was understood that "up to a dozen or so surfers" were in the water when the incident occurred.
"He was at the back of the group who were surfing when the attack occurred," he said.
Police said the search will continue throughout the day until sunset, then resume on Monday morning.
Superintendent Bahr thanked SES and CFS volunteers for their "tireless" efforts as they conduct the second search operation in the region in the past week.
On Sunday morning, police announced a Queensland woman who went missing in the Eyre Peninsula town of Streaky Bay a week ago had been found.
"Many of the same searchers involved yesterday have been involved in the search at Streaky Bay over the last seven days," Superintendent Bahr said.
Superintendent Bahr said their work was "much appreciated" by police and the wider community.
"The one thing that stands out is their commitment, their enthusiasm, their desire to really help out," he said.
