The search for a missing surfer on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula has resumed, with a piece of wetsuit material and polystyrene found by police.
Simon Baccanello, 46, was surfing at Walkers Rock beach near Elliston on Saturday morning, when he was attacked by the shark 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, told ABC Eyre Peninsula that emergency service crews continued the search for Mr Baccanello at first light this morning.
"We'll be doing the beaches around Walkers Rock … and we'll be checking for any signs that might point to what occurred," Mr Bahr said.
"We continued the search along the shore along Walkers Rock yesterday.
"We are in the process of putting together a report which will go to the coroner."
SA Police said crews found a piece of wetsuit material and small pieces of polystyrene, which will be forensically examined.
Mr Bahr said crews were searching the high-tide marks — with the help of volunteers — for any further signs of debris that might point to what happened.
"We've got SES [State Emergency Service], CFS [Country Fire Service], we've got the local police again and without the help of those volunteers I think we'd be struggling to have a reasonable search," he said.
'It's great white shark territory'
Streaky Bay charter boat operator Jonas Woolford said he was in Elliston at the time of the attack and unloaded tourists to help with the search.
He said it was common to see sharks in the area.
"Our coastline is definitely known for great white sharks … we're very much aware that it's great white shark territory," Mr Woolford said.
"There were boats of locals on the scene very quickly afterwards, I think it was in a matter of 10 minutes.
"As far as I'm aware, there was nothing other than his surfboard, there was just no sign, nothing could be found."
Mr Woolford said it was the first fatality at the beach in 20 years and the community was aware that another shark attack "could happen again".
"[I] really feel for his family and his friends down there," he said.
"I didn't know him personally, but his mates are my mates. It's just terrible news.
"It's been over 20 years since the last fatality on that particular coastline, fortunately, but it's something that we live with daily. It's always on the back of our minds."
School community being provided with support
Elliston Area School principal, Chad Fleming, said Mr Baccanello was "adored" by students and staff and had an "enthusiastic and positive" approach to learning and life.
"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.
Mr Fleming said students and staff will be provided "wellbeing support" from today following Saturday's shark attack.
"The Department for Education will provide support, in conjunction with the school's own wellbeing team, through the Social Work Incident Support Services (SWISS) team, and Employee Assistance Program."
The Adelaide University Football Club paid tribute to Mr Baccanello and extended their "heartfelt condolences" to his family.
"Simon was a solid utility for the late-90's Blacks," a statement said on Facebook.
Pulteney Grammar School said Mr Baccanello — who taught at the school from 2007 to 2009 and separately in 2022 — was a "generous friend" and "authentic human being."
Flinders MP Sam Telfer told ABC Radio Adelaide the tragedy had shocked the local community and the school, which only had a "handful" of teachers.
Mr Telfer thanked community volunteers for helping in the search.
"It's really something which is going to rock this small community, but especially the school community that has to deal with that," he said.
"When we get professionals, teachers come in they become a part of the community, they become a part of the football club.
"His mates are our mates and we all work together."
