A diver was killed by a shark in Australia Saturday while hunting for scallops with his daughter, reports said.

The attack happened off Maria Island in the southern state of Tasmania following sightings of a large great white shark in the area on Friday.

The local Hobart Mercury newspaper said the daughter was diving with her father, saw the incident and rose to the surface to let off a flare and get the attention of other boats.

Tasmanian Scallop Association president John Hammond said the area was known for its scallops, but not sharks.

"Absolute tragedy for the family. Bloody terrible," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, adding that there were a number of other divers in the water at the time.

"(The diver was) in the shallow water there, it just struck out of the blue, and bang."

Police and ambulance officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sharks are a regular feature in Australian waters, and swimmers and surfers have had their share of encounters this year.

Earlier this month, a bodyboarder was left fighting for his life after an attack on the country's east coast, close to where a Japanese surfer was killed in February.

Experts say attacks are increasing as water sports become more popular but fatalities remain rare.