Tributes have been paid to the surfer who was killed by a shark off a Gracetown beach on Saturday.

The Coolum Boardriders Club posted a message to members that the surfing community had suffered a "massive loss" after Chris Boyd, 35, originally from Queensland, died in the waters off Gracetown.

In a post on the group's Facebook page, the club said: "The surfing world and in particular the Yaroomba surf community today has suffered a massive loss."

"Chris Boyd was fataly injured in a shark attack this morning surfing around the Gracetown area.

"RIP Boydy, we will miss you".

Beaches in WA's south-west remain closed on Sunday as authorities hunt for the shark.

It was believed to be a great white shark at the popular surf break Umbies off Gracetown, 270 kilometres south-west of Perth.

Eyewitnesses said they saw another surfer drag the injured man onto his board and carry him to shore.

Man dead after Gracetown shark attack

They said the victim was missing his left arm and part of his right leg.

The state's fisheries department issued a catch and kill order for the shark, saying there was an imminent threat of more attacks in the area.

On Sunday morning two fisheries boats, surf life saving helicopters, officers from the Department of Parks and Wildlife, and police resumed the hunt for the shark.

A fisheries spokeswoman said they weren't "just going to randomly kill sharks - it depends on what they see".

Beaches along an eight-kilometre stretch from Umbies to South Point and on to Huzzas, North Point and the main Gracetown beach, remained closed on Sunday.

Acting Sergeant Norm Giocas of Margaret River police said on Saturday the shark had initially struck out at one surfer in the water, before fatally wounding another.

"From what we understand, the shark bounced off the surfboard of one surfer before attacking the other," Acting Sergeant Giocas said.

Police spoke to the man's tearful friends and relatives when they arrived at the beach as word of the tragedy spread.

His body was taken from the area by helicopter.

Moments after the catch and kill order was issued, Surf Life Saving WA reported a large shark had been spotted offshore of Ellensbrook homestead near Gracetown.

The death is Gracetown's third shark-attack fatality in the past 10 years.

In 2004 surfer Bradley Smith was fatally mauled by a great white at a beach near the town, and in August 2010 another surfer, Nicholas Edwards, was killed by a shark at nearby South Point.

Saturday's attack comes just weeks after abalone diver Greg Pickering was bitten on the face and body by a 5m great white while diving off the coast of Esperance.

And it also comes as some of the world's finest chefs - including Heston Blumenthal - gather in the South West for a gourmet tourism extravaganza. 

It is understood that Mr Blumenthal was surfing in waters near the site of the attack on Friday.

It also comes as some of the world's finest chefs - including Heston Blumenthal - gather in WA's southwest for a gourmet tourism extravaganza.

It is understood Blumenthal was surfing in waters near the site of the attack on Friday.

Many school leavers are also holidaying in the area.

with AAP.