Spearfisher killed in shark attack off Rottnest Island

A 38-year-old man had been spearfishing with friends when he was killed in a shark attack off Rottnest Island on Saturday morning.

Police Sergeant Michael Wear provided an update on the "horrific" attack, which happened just before 10am at Horseshoe Reef, north of Marjorie Bay on the western end of the popular holiday island.

Sergeant Wear said the victim was on the surface of the water and about 20 metres from his boat when he was bitten on the lower legs.

"The friends of the victim retrieved his body from the water, they gave him CPR on the way back in and came straight into the Geordie Bay jetty," he said.

Sergeant Wear said the man was with a group of three friends from Perth's northern suburbs who had visited Rottnest for the day to go spearfishing about 1 kilometre offshore.

When the man was brought ashore, a crowd of first responders looked on as paramedics and police performed CPR on the man at Geordie Bay jetty.

"Sadly, the man was unable to be revived," a police spokesperson said in a statement.

Aerial vision showed first responders then transporting the man's body up the stairs at the base of the Geordie Bay jetty.

He was then placed on a stretcher and transported to the back of an ambulance at around 11:20am.

The vision also showed a Water Police boat tethered to a smaller boat, which was equipped with spearfishing gear.

'Confronting' scene

Jarrad Young, who was visiting Rottnest for a wedding, said he was driving around the island when he saw helicopters, police and bystanders congregating around Geordie Bay.

He said a friend who had been diving with the victim looked distressed and shocked.

"Everyone was watching on as they were doing CPR," he said.

"Obviously, it is a bit of a sad day, no-one really wants to see that on the island. Everyone just wants to come and enjoy the beaches and the ocean.

"It was really confronting. I think everyone was hoping he was OK, but it didn't look too good in the end, which is unfortunate."

Horseshoe Reef is located about one kilometre north of Rocky Bay off the north-west coast of Rottnest Island.

It is a popular spot for diving and fishing, mostly known for the Mira Flores shipwreck.

'Deeply distressing': Premier

In a social media post, WA Premier Roger Cook described the shark attack as "deeply distressing" and gave his heartfelt condolences to the man's family and friends.

"It is a devastating time for all involved," Mr Cook said.

"This is a tragedy that will be felt by all Western Australians."

WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

In a statement, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said it received a report that the man was bitten by a 4-metre shark.

DPIRD urged people to take additional caution around the Horseshoe Reef and Marjorie Bay areas, and a department patrol vessel would be out on the water monitoring the area.

Members of the public, including young children, looked on from vantage points around the bay as news of the attack spread around the island.

Rottnest is a popular tourist destination off Perth's coast and famous for its white sandy beaches, turquoise water and quokkas.