The shark that claimed the life of a surfer at Sydney's Northern Beaches yesterday has been identified by government scientists as a white shark, approximately 3.4 to 3.6 metres long.

A frantic effort has been underway to identify the species and size of the shark after it fatally attacked Mercury Psillakis at Long Reef Beach yesterday morning.

Mr Psillakis, a 57-year-old who left behind a daughter and wife hours before Father's Day, suffered catastrophic injuries, according to New South Wales Police.

Experienced surfer and dad dies in shark attack on Sydney's Northern Beaches Photo shows People standing at the site of a fatal shark attack on Sydney's Northern Beaches

A 57-year-old man has died after being attacked by what police are describing as a large shark on Sydney's Northern

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