Perth father Steven Mattaboni identified as victim of Rottnest Island shark attack
A man who died after being bitten by a shark off Rottnest Island over the weekend has been identified as prolific spearfisher and father of two Steven Mattaboni.
Mattaboni, 38, was participating in a small-scale spearfishing contest among friends just before 10 a.m. on Saturday when he was bitten in the lower leg while diving at Horseshoe Reef, about a kilometer from the beach in the northwest of the island.
At the time, Mattaboni is believed to have been on the surface about 20 meters away from one of his friend’s boats.
Mattaboni’s friends pulled him from the water and performed CPR on him as he returned to the Geordie Bay pier. The team called emergency services on the road, met the group and took care of him, but he could not be saved.
“The injuries were pretty horrific,” said Michael Wear, the officer in charge of Rottnest Island.
A five-metre great white shark had been recorded in the area around the time Mattaboni was bitten.
The reef where Mattaboni was diving at the time of the attack is known as a snorkeling and fishing area and is home to many pelagic fish. For this reason, it is also a frequent destination for sharks.
Mattaboni was a father of two and his youngest daughter was born in January this year. His partner Shirene posted on social media on Sunday, thanking everyone for their well wishes and messages.
He later made a statement.
“Our hearts are irrevocably broken by the loss of Steven, affectionately known as ‘Mattas’ to his friends,” he said.
“Steven was a devoted father to our two beautiful daughters, one of whom turns three next month, and our four-month-old baby.
“He was an avid fisherman and spear fisherman who lived and breathed the ocean, always in tune with the sea.
“He was fiercely loyal, endlessly generous and the kind of man who would take his shirt off his back.
“The world has lost a truly one-of-a-kind gentleman, and our daughters have lost an incredible father too soon.
“We express our deepest, most sincere gratitude to the emergency services and first responders who worked tirelessly to save him.
“We respectfully ask for privacy from the media and the public during this incredibly difficult time as we try to come to terms with this incomprehensible loss and grieve the extraordinary man we loved so much.”
Mattaboni was also a prolific and skilled spearfisher, diver and fisherman, and his friends were seen consoling each other on their boat docked at the Geordie Bay pier on Saturday. He was part of a tight-knit group of spearfishing friends who often posted about their adventures on social media.
Mattaboni was an active member of Recfishwest and had worked on the Spearfishing Equity Working Group, which aimed to “remove barriers to ensure fair management regulations for spearfishers in areas such as marine parks.”
Mattaboni was also secretary of the WA Bluewater Freedivers.
WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The incident was reported to the Ministry of Primary Industry and Regional Development. He said he was working with local authorities and would provide more information.
