Emergency services applauded after responding to 'traumatic' shark attack

Daniel Turpin died while spearfishing off the Albany coast after a shark attack. (ABC Great Southern: Astrid Volzke)

A regional city is still coming to terms with the fatal shark attack that claimed the life of a resident on Saturday.

The 35-year-old man was spearfishing with his family off the Albany coast in WA.

Advocates and politicians call for solutions to better protect recreational spearfishers from sharks.

The regional city of Albany is mourning the loss of a resident in a shark attack, with community leaders saying it will take time to heal.

Daniel Turpin had been spearfishing with family near Michaelmas Island on Saturday morning when the attack happened.

Albany Mayor Greg Stocks said the 35-year-old was a well-respected member of the community and his wife was a council employee.

"For the community of Albany that hits home pretty hard because whilst we're a city there's one degree of separation really," he said.

"Nearly everybody would know someone who knows someone from the Turpin family."

Mr Stocks paid tribute to the family members who were out on the boat with Mr Turpin at the time.

Greg Stocks says he would not be drawn on the issue of a shark cull. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

"My understanding is that it was Daniel's father and a 14-year-old nephew were on the boat, and the nephew was driving the boat while Wayne was attending to Daniel," he said.

"So incredible, to be honest, that a 14-year-old was able to get himself together to assist and get Daniel to port as quickly as possible."

Resident Graeme Peirce, who is the husband of an ABC reporter, witnessed Mr Turpin being rushed back to the Albany marina.

Despite efforts from first responders, Mr Turpin was unable to be revived.

"The fishing boat came at speed into the marina and were met by police and paramedics there," Mr Peirce said.

"An exceptional job was done by police and paramedics to manage this incident and console the members in such a traumatic experience."

Graeme Pierce saw the boat with an injured Daniel Turpin come into the Albany marina. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

Great Southern police Superintendent Jon Munday said it was an incredibly challenging day for those on the boat with Mr Turpin and first responders.

"I think it's just a really tough job to be doing, any of the first responders, emergency services," he said.

It is the third shark attack in Australia in the past four weeks.

On May 16, 38-year-old Perth man Steven Mattaboni was killed in a shark attack when he was spearfishing with three friends off Rottnest Island.

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