Overview

• Authorities identified the victim as Mercury Psillakis, 57, an experienced surfer and father who died after being pulled from the water near Long Reef/Dee Why on Saturday morning.
• Police say the attack occurred about 100 metres offshore after roughly 30 minutes in the water, with resuscitation attempts unsuccessful and the surfing group outside the patrolled zone.
• Government scientists concluded a white shark of approximately 3.4–3.6 metres was likely responsible based on damage to two recovered sections of the surfboard now under forensic examination.
• Beaches between Manly and Narrabeen were closed as drones, a helicopter and lifeguards on jet skis searched the area, and SMART drumlines were increased from three to five; a shark net is in place at nearby Dee Why.
• Monitoring continues after a tagged great white was detected off Manly, leading to temporary closures at Manly and Freshwater as police and DPI interview witnesses and review evidence.