The family of Steven Mattaboni is being surrounded by tributes tonight after the dad-of-two was taken in the great white shark tragedy near Rottnest Island… while witnesses watched a rescue boat rush toward shore with friends still trying desperately to save him.

On Saturday morning, May 16, 2026, Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni, a 38-year-old Perth surveyor and devoted family man, headed out for a spearfishing trip with friends off Horseshoe Reef, roughly one kilometre from Rottnest Island’s northwest coast. What began as a familiar outing among experienced ocean enthusiasts ended in tragedy when a great white shark, estimated at 4 to 5 metres (13-16 feet), attacked him in the water. His friends witnessed the horror, pulled him aboard, and performed CPR as their boat sped toward shore — a desperate race captured by onlookers on the island and from the air.

Despite the efforts of his mates, paramedics, and police at Geordie Bay jetty, Mattaboni could not be revived. His death marks Western Australia’s first fatal shark attack since March 2025 and has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit spearfishing community, his football club, and the broader Perth region.

The Rescue Boat and the Witnesses

The image and accounts of the rescue boat racing toward Geordie Bay have become etched in the public memory. Witnesses on shore and visitors to the island described seeing the vessel approach with urgent activity on deck as friends continued CPR. Helicopters captured the scene: men consoling one another on police boats, emergency crews working frantically at the jetty, and a somber atmosphere descending over what is usually a vibrant holiday spot.

Police Sergeant Michael Wear noted the confronting nature of the event: “His friends have actually witnessed the horrific event.” The group, described as experienced fishermen who had taken two boats out that day, acted swiftly. Mattaboni was attacked about 20 metres from the boat while on the surface. They retrieved him, began life-saving measures immediately, and headed straight for the nearest jetty. Paramedics and a rescue helicopter were waiting, but his injuries — reported as horrific bites to the lower legs — proved fatal.

Bystanders like Jarrad Young, visiting Rottnest for a wedding, spoke of the shock: onlookers watched CPR efforts from shore, hoping against hope. The thin line between a perfect day on the water and tragedy unfolded in real time for those present.

A Devoted Father and Passionate Spearfisherman

Steven Mattaboni leaves behind his wife Shirene, a clinical nurse specialist, and their two young daughters — one turning three next month and a four-month-old baby. In a heartfelt statement, Shirene captured the profound loss:

“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.”

She also expressed gratitude to the emergency services and first responders who fought tirelessly to save him, while requesting privacy for the family as they grieve.

Mattaboni lived in Perth’s northern suburbs. Beyond his work as a surveyor, he was secretary of the Bluewater Freedivers of Western Australia spearfishing club and a premiership player with the Kingsley Football Club. Teammates remembered him as one of the most genuine people imaginable — his smile lighting up any room.

Life in Tune with the Ocean

For Mattaboni, the ocean was more than a hobby; it was a calling. Spearfishing demands skill, discipline, breath-hold techniques, and respect for the marine environment. Friends and club members described him as someone fully alive in the water, attuned to its rhythms while aware of its risks. Tragically, this passion placed him in closer proximity to apex predators during an activity that can involve speared fish and blood in the water — factors that sometimes attract sharks.

His death has prompted reflection within the freediving and spearfishing communities about safety protocols for recreational outings, even as experts emphasize that fatal encounters remain statistically rare.

Rottnest Island: Beauty and Vulnerability

Rottnest Island, just 19km from Fremantle, is a beloved destination famous for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, quokkas, and relaxed vibe. On the day of the attack, Horseshoe Reef was the scene of a small-scale spearfishing gathering among friends rather than a formal competition.

By Sunday, May 17, ferries continued to bring visitors, but many expressed nervousness. Beaches remained open with caution advised, particularly for offshore activities. Locals and tourists alike processed the news against the backdrop of the island’s pristine beauty, with some laying informal tributes or simply reflecting quietly at Geordie Bay.

Broader Context of Shark Activity in WA

Great white sharks are protected in Western Australian waters since 1997. They are apex predators integral to healthy marine ecosystems, though encounters with humans can increase due to environmental factors, prey movements, and ocean changes. Since 2000, WA has seen around two dozen fatal shark attacks. Australia-wide, the numbers are higher but still represent a very low probability risk compared to other coastal activities.

Spearfishing carries different risk profiles than swimming or surfing closer to shore. Authorities and experts continue to advocate for education, shark surveillance technology (such as drones in events), and personal safety measures rather than reactive culling.

Tributes and a Community in Mourning

Tributes have flooded in from all corners. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook described the incident as deeply distressing. Football club mates, spearfishing colleagues, and political figures have all highlighted Mattaboni’s character and the devastating impact on his young family.

Emergency services personnel, who faced a “confronting, disturbing and tragic scene,” have been thanked publicly for their professionalism and compassion.

For those who witnessed the rescue boat’s desperate dash to shore, the memory lingers as a testament to friendship under unimaginable pressure — friends who refused to give up even as they raced against time.

A Legacy of Love and the Sea

“He was supposed to come home.” That simple, devastating sentiment echoes through every tribute and conversation. Mattaboni left for a day doing what he loved, surrounded by mates, and never returned to his wife and daughters. His story underscores the preciousness of time, the pull of the ocean that so many Western Australians feel, and the resilience required to face nature’s raw power.

As the family navigates their “incomprehensible loss,” the outpouring of support from the community offers a measure of solace. Steven Mattaboni will be remembered as a loving husband and father, a loyal friend, a passionate waterman, and a genuine soul whose light touched everyone around him.

The shoreline at Geordie Bay, the rescue boat cutting through the water, and the quiet grief overlaying a sunlit island — these images now carry heavier meaning. They remind us to cherish those we love, respect the ocean’s majesty and dangers, and hold tightly to the memories of those taken too soon.

May Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni rest in peace. Support continues to surround his family in the days and weeks ahead, as Western Australia mourns one of its own.