The family of a surfer who was fatally attacked by a shark on Sydney's Northern Beaches has described him as a "hero" and a "loving and devoted husband." Mercury Psillakis, 57, suffered severe injuries at Long Reef Beach on Saturday, just hours before Father's Day. He is survived by his wife, Maria, and their daughter, Freedom.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Mr. Psillakis's family expressed their grief, stating it was "impossible to describe him with justice." They characterized him as a "ridiculously fun husband, father, son, brother, and loyal friend." They added, "This is a statement that is so hard to write, as there are no words that can describe the amazing, humorous, and beautiful man he is — everyone felt it."

Affectionately known as "Merc," his family emphasized that he was deeply loved by all who knew him. "He was Maria's soulmate, our best friend, and the most loving father to Freedom, his daughter who he is so proud of. Their bond was extraordinary, and he always placed his family above everything else. His family meant the world to him."

Mr. Psillakis was described as a family-oriented individual with diverse interests, including holding a black belt in Taekwondo and traveling extensively to surf. He was also passionate about rare palms, earning him the nickname "The Germinator" due to his remarkable ability to cultivate plants from unlikely seeds.

The family noted that Mr. Psillakis surfed daily and was aware of the risks associated with shark attacks. They recounted that on the day of the incident, he had warned his friends about a shark in the water. "He was aware of the risks of the ocean, and while he loved surfing, he was always vigilant about keeping himself safe. Unfortunately, this was a tragic and unavoidable accident."

They continued, "Merc is and will always be a hero, a loving and devoted husband, father, and family man who could bring humor to every situation. We are devastated by this loss but will forever carry his spirit, energy, and joy in our hearts."

The family expressed gratitude to emergency services, the surf lifesaving club, and members of the surfing community who assisted during the incident. "The men who were selfless and courageous by getting Merc out of the surf — we are forever grateful and pray that you get the support you need," they stated. They also thanked the lifesaving club, emergency services, and police for their invaluable support during this difficult time, requesting privacy as they grieve.

In the days following Mr. Psillakis's death, a tagged white shark was detected off Manly Beach. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Shark Smart service reported the shark tag sensor was activated on Monday. At the time of tagging, the shark measured 2.03 meters in length. Experts estimate it has since grown to approximately 2.5 to 2.7 meters. This size is smaller than the estimated size of the shark involved in the attack, which government experts believe was between 3.4 and 3.6 meters.