GRACETOWN, Australia, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Fisheries agents were ordered to hunt down the shark responsible for the fatal attack on a surfer in Western Australia Saturday.
Chris Boyd, 35, was killed almost instantly when he was attacked at a popular surf spot in Gracetown near Margaret River. The attack prompted an "imminent threat" order from the Australian Department of Fisheries, which directed department officers to locate the shark, believed to be a great white.
Department spokesman Tony Cappulleti told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Radio Australia it was too early to determine whether the shark would be killed once located.
"It just depends on the species of shark -- obviously not all species of shark are dangerous or may be responsible for the attack, so obviously those decisions will be made at the time."
The large surfing community in Gracetown, however, was described as reeling after the attack, which occurred off a crowded beach where hundreds of high school students were celebrating the end of the school year, news.com.au said.
Boyd, a father of two, was known to many surfers and was considered a mentor to youngsters who were new to the sport.
Witnesses told news.com.au Boyd never had a chance after the shark brushed past one surfer and zeroed in on him.
"He was missing his left arm and flesh off the right leg," said Ryan Scanlon, who was about to enter the water when the attack occurred in front of him. "The shark bit him and held him for about a minute. He was dead before the shark let go."
