Damian Johnson, 46, of Kingston, was killed by what was believed to be a great white shark while scallop diving with his daughter near Maria Island on Saturday.

The pair were diving in water about 12 metres deep between Maria and Lachlan islands on the state’s East Coast when the fatal attack took place.

Mr Johnson had taken a solo trip underwater to collect a second haul of scallops between 7 and 8am when his daughter, Olivia, became concerned at how long he had been beneath the surface.

She went underwater and saw her father being killed by what police described on Saturday as a ‘‘very large shark’’.

Mr Johnson’s brother-in-law, Andrew Paynter, told media on Sunday the victim’s daughter, who was in her early 20s, was doing as well as she could.

He said the family was immensely shocked by Mr Johnson’s death but said the council worker would never have wanted the shark to be killed.

Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor Michael Kent said about three boats had gone out searching for the animal on Saturday evening but were deterred by police patrolling the water.

Cr Kent said the community was deeply hurt by the incident and he extended his condolences to Mr Johnson’s family.

‘‘I was over there today around the wharf area, and in the marina area particularly there’s absolutely nobody there at all,’’ he said.

‘‘Tasmania is not known for people being killed by sharks. It’s going to take a few weeks for everything to get back to normal.’’

Questions hung over the efficiency of shark warning systems for amateur and recreational fishers and divers following Saturday’s tragedy.

Local divers questioned why a warning had not been more prominent following repeated sightings of large white pointers in the area in the fortnight before the attack.

A Maria Island senior park ranger noted that reports of shark sightings had gone over marine radio on Friday and Saturday, before Mr Johnson’s death.

Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing chief executive Mark Nikolai said he believed nothing more could have been done to prevent the incident.

He said it was important the community kept the tragedy in context: Mr Johnson’s death marked Tasmania’s sixth shark fatality in 200 years.

‘‘I’m not sure there’s anything additional or that should’ve happened.

It’s extremely rare that it happens and I can’t see there’s been any fault from anybody,’’ Mr Nikolai said.

‘‘Everyone needs to keep a level head about what’s happened. It’s an extremely rare event. I feel very deeply for the family involved.’’

Primary Industries and Water Minister Jeremy Rockcliff would not be drawn on the efficiency of systems in place because of the police investigation.

‘‘This is devastating news and the Tasmanian government of course offer our deepest sympathies to the family through what is an absolutely heartbreaking, tragic and extremely difficult time for them,’’ he said.

Police patrolled the water around Maria Island until 1pm on Sunday. A coronial inquiry will be held into Mr Johnson’s death.