Tragedy as police call off search for missing surfer who was attacked by a shark in WA – as his family issue a tear-jerking tribute to the loving dad

Police have called off the search for a surfer who went missing off the coast of Western Australia after he was attacked by a shark.   

Andrew Sharpe, a father-of-two known as 'Sharpey', was surfing at Kelp Beds in Wylie Bay, near Esperance on Western Australia's south coast, when he was 'flung into the air' at 11am on Friday.

Mr Sharpe hasn't been seen since, with his surfboard later washing up on the beach with bite marks on it.

Police confessed on Saturday night they had lost hope of finding him alive, and by Sunday afternoon decided to officially call off the search.

Andrew Sharpe, a father-of-two known as 'Sharpey', was surfing at Kelp Beds in Wylie Bay, near Esperance on Western Australia's south coast, when he was 'flung into the air' at 11am on Friday

His family released a touching tribute to the 'loving father, life partner and brother' via police on Sunday.

'He would do anything for anyone and was a great and loyal mate to his friends and people he met,' the statement read.

'He was an experienced surfer of 40 years and he loved the ocean immensely. He knew the risks and we knew the risks as well. They had been discussed often. He will be greatly missed by us all.'

The devastated family thanked first responders and the local community for the support, as well as everybody who was with him on Friday before he disappeared.

'We live in an amazing town,' they said.  

'This is a devastating loss for the family of Mr. Sharpe and a tragic incident that will have an effect on the entire community of Esperance,' a police spokesman said. 

Senior Sergeant Justin Tarasinski told reporters on Saturday afternoon they'd lost all hope for Mr Sharpe's survival, but vowed to continue the search on Sunday morning. 

A search party was called off at 2pm on Saturday due to bad weather but resumed at first light on Sunday. 

Two pieces of a wetsuit were found in the same area that Mr Sharpe went missing on Saturday but police say DNA testing was required.

His surfboard was washed ashore on Friday with 'obvious signs of shark attack'.

'We'll continue on for as long as we possibly can… and that's about trying to bring some closure to Mr Sharpe's family,' Sergeant Tarasinski said.

Mr Sharpe was bumped off his board by the shark before being dragged down into the water, the West Australian was told.

About eight surfers are believed to have witnessed the horror attack. 

Sergeant Tarasinski said search teams including divers were in the water from 8.30am on Saturday. 

'The dive team were conducting their searches from the back of the Surf Life Saving jetskis as opposed to diving in the water and that's due to the risk,' he said.

Locals had even taken to the water in vessels in the hopes of finding the 'much loved' surfer.    

Mr Sharpe was out with a group of friends when his mates saw the father fall off his board, 7NEWS reported.  

Andrew Sharpe, a reported father-of-two, was attacked by a shark while surfing at Kelp Beds in Wylie Bay , on Western Australia's south coast, just before 11am on Friday morning

Six different organisations took to the popular Wylie Bay , near Esperance, on Friday to search for Mr Sharpe but authorities said chances of his survival were 'pretty slim'

Witnesses also reported spotting a massive shark with a dorsal fin as big as a metre high.  

'The chances of survival are obviously pretty slim considering some of the accounts that have been provided to us,' Sergeant Tarasinski said earlier.

'There were a number of other surfers in the waters and some of them did paddle to try and render some assistance but unfortunately they were not in a position to do so.' 

WA Premier Mark McGowan on Friday described it as a 'very serious' situation.

'Unfortunately he hasn't been recovered at this point in time,' Mr McGowan said. 

Mr McGowan said WA's south coast, particularly around Esperance, was a known breeding ground for great white sharks and home to large seal colonies.

He said the government had taken extra safety measures to protect swimmers and surfers, including helicopter patrols, monitoring stations and subsidised shark shields.    

Chairman of the Esperance Ocean Safety and Support Group, Mitchell Capelli, said he was left shaking after hearing of the attack on Mr Sharpe.

Mr Sharpe was surfing with a group of friends at Wylie Bay (map pictured) when witnesses claim he was knocked off his board by the shark and flung into the air before disappearing 

Mr Sharpe's surfboard washed up on the shore but he has not been found (file image pictured)

'We're devastated — he was a local legend,' Mr Capelli told The West Australian. 

The chairman called for stronger measures to be implemented to protect the community against sharks.    

17-year-old Laeticia Brouwer was mauled to death at the same beach by a great white shark in 2017

'Plain and simple the balance of nature is out of whack.  

'We're dealing with something that didn't just take one bite, it bumped him, bit him and took him down. It shouldn't be in the ocean anymore,' he said. 

Six different organisations were involved in Mr Sharpe's rescue operation, including Esperance Police, Surf Life Saving WA and Marine Rescue Esperance.  

Esperance has been home to several other shark attacks in recent years. 

Gary Johnson who was diving off the Esperance coast near Cull Island in January was killed when he was bitten by a shark.

In 2017, 17-year-old Laeticia Brouwer was mauled to death at the same beach by a great white shark.

Laeticia died after her left leg was ripped off at the hip by the shark as she surfed off the coast with her father. 

Her parents at the time called for the beach to be made safer, saying they wanted people to be able to use beaches with 'minimal risk and fear'.