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 friends pulling him back onto a boat as it turned and rushed toward shore.

On the morning of Saturday, May 16, 2026, Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni, a 38-year-old Perth surveyor, loving husband, and father of two young daughters, joined friends for a spearfishing outing at Horseshoe Reef, approximately one kilometre offshore from Rottnest Island’s northwest coast. What was meant to be a day immersed in the ocean he loved ended in unimaginable horror when a great white shark, estimated at around four metres (13 feet) long, attacked him in the water.

Friends who were spearfishing with him witnessed the attack. They pulled him from the water onto the boat, immediately began CPR, turned the vessel, and raced desperately toward Geordie Bay jetty on shore. Onlookers on the island and from vantage points watched the urgent scene unfold — a rescue boat cutting through the water with men fighting to save their mate’s life. Despite their heroic efforts, and those of paramedics and police waiting at the jetty, Mattaboni could not be revived. His injuries, described by police as “horrific” bites to the lower legs, proved fatal.

This tragedy marks Western Australia’s first fatal shark attack since March 2025 and has left the Perth community, spearfishing circles, and Rottnest visitors in profound shock.

The Moment Friends Pulled Him Aboard

Police Sergeant Michael Wear described the confronting reality: “His friends have actually witnessed the horrific event.” Mattaboni was on the surface, about 20 metres from the boat, when the shark struck. His companions acted instantly — retrieving him from the water, performing CPR on the speeding boat, and heading straight for shore. Witnesses on Rottnest Island saw the vessel turn and rush toward Geordie Bay, with frantic activity visible on deck.

Aerial footage and eyewitness accounts captured the urgency as the boat approached the jetty. Paramedics and police continued resuscitation efforts for more than 30 minutes, supported by a rescue helicopter on standby for potential evacuation to the mainland. Tragically, nothing could overcome the severity of the injuries.

The image of friends pulling their mate aboard and racing against time has become one of the defining visuals of this tragedy — a raw depiction of loyalty, desperation, and the suddenness with which the ocean can turn.

A Devoted Father, Husband, and Ocean Lover

Steven Mattaboni leaves behind his wife Shirene, a clinical nurse specialist, and their two young daughters — one about to turn three and the other just four months old. In a moving public statement, Shirene expressed the family’s devastation while celebrating the man she 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.”

She thanked emergency services and first responders for their tireless efforts and asked for privacy as the family grieves.

Mattaboni lived in Perth’s northern suburbs. He worked as a surveyor but found his deepest fulfillment in the water and with his community. He served as secretary of the Bluewater Freedivers of Western Australia spearfishing club and was a premiership player with the Kingsley Football Club. Teammates remembered him warmly: “Mattas was one of the most genuine people you could meet… He had a smile and presence that could light up a room.”

Life Passionately Lived on the Water

For Mattaboni, spearfishing was more than a sport — it was a passion that connected him to the rhythms of the sea. The activity requires significant skill, fitness, breath-hold ability, and environmental awareness. He and his friends were out that day in what reports describe as a small-scale or members-focused spearfishing gathering targeting pelagic fish at Horseshoe Reef.

His death has prompted reflection in the freediving and spearfishing communities about safety for recreational outings. Experts note that while the overall risk of a fatal shark encounter remains statistically low, activities like spearfishing — which can introduce blood and fish in the water — occur in environments where great whites naturally hunt. Mattaboni was known for respecting the ocean while fully embracing its challenges.

Rottnest Island: Paradise Interrupted

Rottnest Island, just 19 kilometres from Fremantle, is a cherished destination for its white-sand beaches, crystal waters, quokkas, and car-free relaxation. On that Saturday morning, Horseshoe Reef became the site of tragedy instead of recreation. By the following day, ferries continued operating, but an air of solemnity hung over Geordie Bay and surrounding areas. Many visitors and locals expressed a mix of sadness and heightened caution.

Beaches remained open with advisories for offshore activities. The Rottnest Island Authority and authorities monitored the situation, while a great white shark was reportedly sighted in the vicinity afterward. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the wild nature underpinning even the most idyllic coastal spots.

Shark Encounters in Western Australia

Great white sharks are protected in WA waters since 1997 and play a vital role in marine ecosystems. Encounters with humans, though rare, can be influenced by factors such as prey availability, water temperature, and oceanographic changes. Since 2000, Western Australia has recorded roughly two dozen fatal shark attacks. Nationwide, Australia has a long history of such incidents, but the probability for any individual beachgoer or boater remains very low compared to other risks.

Spearfishing and diving inherently involve different risk profiles than swimming near shore. Mattaboni’s case highlights ongoing discussions about safety protocols, technology like drones for spotting, education, and balanced coexistence with marine life rather than fear-based responses.

Community Tributes and Collective Grief

Tributes have poured in from across Western Australia. Premier Roger Cook and other leaders described the event as deeply distressing. Football club members, spearfishing colleagues, and everyday Western Australians have shared memories of Mattaboni’s character and the hole left in his young family’s life.

Emergency services personnel faced an incredibly confronting scene yet worked with professionalism and compassion. Their efforts, alongside the bravery of Mattaboni’s friends, have been publicly acknowledged.

For witnesses who saw the boat turn and race toward shore, the memory is likely to linger — a snapshot of human resilience amid nature’s power. The phrase “He was supposed to come home” resonates deeply, capturing the ordinary expectation of a safe return after a day doing what one loves, shattered in moments.

Remembering Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni

Steven Mattaboni’s legacy is one of devotion — to his wife and daughters, to his friends, to his clubs, and to the ocean that brought him joy. His daughters will grow up knowing stories of a father who was generous, loyal, and fully alive in the elements. His smile, presence, and willingness to help others will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

As the family navigates an “incomprehensible loss,” the widespread support offers some comfort. The shoreline at Geordie Bay, once a place of arrival and reunion, now carries heavier emotional weight. The rescue boat’s desperate journey symbolizes not only tragedy but also the strength of friendship and the human spirit’s refusal to give up.

In the days and weeks ahead, Western Australians and ocean enthusiasts everywhere are reminded to cherish time with loved ones, respect the sea’s majesty and risks, and hold memories close. Steven Mattaboni lived passionately and was taken too soon, but the love and tributes surrounding his family speak to a life that touched many.

May he rest in peace. Support services remain available for those affected by this tragedy, including witnesses, visitors, and the broader community processing the loss.