Steven Mattaboni’s family is receiving an outpouring of support tonight… while witnesses are still describing people staring out at the waterline trying to understand what had just happened.

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni, a 38-year-old Perth surveyor and devoted father of two, left home for what should have been a straightforward morning spearfishing trip with friends off Horseshoe Reef, about one kilometre northwest of Rottnest Island. He never returned. A great white shark, believed to be around four metres long, attacked him in the water shortly before 10 a.m., inflicting catastrophic injuries that would claim his life despite the immediate and heroic efforts of those around him.

The tragedy has reverberated across Western Australia, touching not only Mattaboni’s family, friends, and sporting communities but also visitors and locals on Rottnest Island who found themselves confronted with the sudden reality of nature’s power. Eyewitnesses have spoken of the stunned silence that followed, with people gathering along the shoreline, staring out at the waterline as emergency vessels raced in and the gravity of the situation sank in.

A Ordinary Morning That Ended in Horror

Mattaboni had set out with a small group of experienced friends for a relaxed spearfishing outing targeting fish around Horseshoe Reef. The group had taken boats out, and Mattaboni was on the surface, approximately 20 metres from the vessel, when the shark struck his lower legs. His companions witnessed the attack, pulled him from the water immediately, performed CPR on the boat as they sped toward Geordie Bay jetty, and continued their desperate efforts upon arrival.

Paramedics and police took over resuscitation at the jetty, working for more than 30 minutes with a rescue helicopter on standby. Despite their best efforts, Mattaboni could not be revived. Police described the injuries as “horrific,” and the scene as confronting for all involved — friends, first responders, and onlookers alike.

On the island, the mood shifted palpably. Visitors who had been enjoying the sunshine and turquoise waters found themselves drawn to vantage points, staring out toward the reef and the waterline, trying to process how a routine morning on the water had turned tragic. The contrast between Rottnest’s renowned beauty — white sands, quokkas, and relaxed holiday vibe — and the sudden loss created a heavy, reflective atmosphere that lingered into the following days.

The Family Left Behind

Steven Mattaboni is survived by his wife Shirene, a clinical nurse specialist, and their two young daughters — one turning three next month and the other a four-month-old baby. In a poignant statement released shortly after the tragedy, Shirene expressed the depth of their grief while painting a vivid picture of the man they loved:

“Our hearts are irrevocably broken by the loss of Steven, known affectionately to his mates as Mattas. Steven was a devoted father to our two beautiful daughters… An avid fisherman and spearfisherman, who lived and breathed the ocean, he was always in tune with the sea. He was fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back. The world has lost a truly one-of-a-kind gentleman, and our daughters have lost an incredible father far too soon.”

Shirene thanked emergency services and first responders for their tireless work while asking for privacy as the family navigates their “incomprehensible loss.” The outpouring of support for the Mattaboni family has been overwhelming, with messages flooding in from across Perth, Western Australia, and further afield.

A Life Full of Passion and Connection

Beyond his professional role as a surveyor in Perth’s northern suburbs, Steven Mattaboni was deeply embedded in community life. He served as secretary of the Bluewater Freedivers of Western Australia spearfishing club and was a premiership player with the Kingsley Football Club. Teammates and club members remembered him as one of the most genuine people imaginable — warm, loyal, and quick with a smile that could brighten any room.

Spearfishing was more than a hobby for Mattaboni; it was a passion that connected him profoundly with the ocean. Friends described him as respectful of the sea’s power while fully embracing its rewards. The activity requires high levels of skill, fitness, breath control, and situational awareness — qualities Mattaboni embodied. Tragically, it also placed him in an environment where encounters with marine predators, though rare, can occur.

The Shoreline Vigil and Community Shock

Witnesses on Rottnest Island have recounted the surreal moments following the alert. People who moments earlier were swimming, relaxing, or exploring paused to stare out at the waterline, scanning the horizon as rescue boats moved urgently and news spread. The sight of emergency activity at Geordie Bay jetty, combined with the knowledge that a life had been lost just offshore, left many in quiet disbelief.

This collective stunned reflection — families, tourists, and locals standing together gazing seaward — has become emblematic of the event’s impact. Rottnest Island, just 19 kilometres from Fremantle and a favourite getaway for its car-free environment and natural beauty, suddenly felt more vulnerable, more wild. Ferries continued to operate, and beaches remained open with heightened advisories, particularly for offshore activities, but an unmistakable solemnity settled over the island.

Shark Activity in Western Australian Waters

Great white sharks are protected in WA since 1997 and are vital to marine ecosystems as apex predators. While fatal attacks remain statistically uncommon, factors such as ocean conditions, prey movements, and human activity in deeper waters can influence encounters. This incident marks WA’s first fatal shark attack since March 2025. Since 2000, the state has recorded around two dozen such tragedies.

Spearfishing carries a distinct risk profile compared to beach swimming due to proximity to fish and potential attractants in the water. Experts and community groups continue to stress education, safety protocols (such as shark spotting technology in organised events), and respectful coexistence rather than reactive measures. Mattaboni’s friends, described as experienced fishermen, acted swiftly and courageously in line with the strong safety culture within the spearfishing community.

Tributes and Lasting Legacy

Tributes have poured in from political leaders, sporting clubs, and everyday Western Australians. Premier Roger Cook and Police Minister Reece Whitby expressed sorrow for the family and gratitude to all who responded. Kingsley Football Club and Bluewater Freedivers highlighted Mattaboni’s character and the void left in their circles.

Emergency services personnel, who faced a distressing scene, have been commended for their professionalism. The bravery of Mattaboni’s friends — who pulled him aboard and fought to save him — stands as a powerful testament to mateship under extreme pressure.

For those staring out at the water in the hours and days after, the event served as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility. “He left for a morning trip… and never came back” captures the heartbreaking ordinariness of the day that was shattered in moments. Many on the island and back on the mainland have reflected on their own connections to the ocean and the loved ones who wait at home.

Moving Forward with Memories

As the Mattaboni family begins the long journey of grieving, they do so surrounded by an extraordinary wave of support. Their daughters will grow up hearing stories of a father who was generous, passionate, and deeply loving — a man who found joy in the sea and in caring for others.

Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni’s legacy extends beyond the tragedy. It lives in the memories of his football teammates, spearfishing companions, and everyone whose life he touched with his loyalty and warmth. The ocean he loved claimed him too soon, but it also provided some of his happiest moments and forged the bonds that defined him.

In the quiet moments when people still find themselves gazing toward the waterline at Rottnest or along Perth’s shores, there is sorrow, yes — but also gratitude for lives lived fully, for friendships tested by fire, and for the enduring strength of community in the face of loss.

Support services have been made available for witnesses, visitors, and residents affected by the trauma. As investigations continue and marine authorities monitor the area, Western Australia mourns one of its own while celebrating a life marked by passion, devotion, and generosity.

May Steven Mattaboni rest in peace. His family remains in the thoughts of many, held up by the tributes and shared memories that continue to flow in the days following that fateful morning trip.