The wife and daughter of an avid surfer killed by a great white shark say he fell victim to a "tragic and unavoidable accident", as a shark net removal trial is scrapped.

Mercury Psillakis, 57, had been alerting other surfers to the large shark before he was mauled at Long Reef Beach in northern Sydney on Saturday.

"Merc is and will always be a hero, a loving and devoted husband, father and family man who could bring humour to every situation," his wife Maria and daughter Freedom said in a statement released on Tuesday.

"We are devastated by this loss, but will forever carry his spirit, energy and joy in our hearts."

Surfing was "one of his greatest passions" and he mastered the waves on his board on a daily basis, they said.

"He was always vigilant about keeping himself safe," the fa

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