Charlize Zmuda, 17, was swimming off Woorim Beach, Bribie Island in southeast Queensland when she was attacked by a shark about 4.45pm on Monday.
The teenager suffered injuries to her upper body and died soon after she was pulled from the water.
Her father Steve Zmuda on Tuesday paid an emotional tribute to his beloved daughter, urging Australians to not be afraid of the ocean despite the tragic incident.
"When I got the tragic news yesterday, I was extremely gutted," he told reporters.
"But something that my wife and I wanted to say is we don't want people to stop coming to the beach and enjoying our beach.
"It's a big part of our lives."
The father of shark victim Charlize Zmuda said the ocean was her passion. (HANDOUT/THE NINE NETWORK)
The grieving father fondly remembered his daughter's passion for the ocean, joining the local lifesaving club aged eight.
She was vice-captain of her lifesaving patrol and competed in the Inflatable Rescue Boat world championships in 2024, her family said.
Mr Zmuda hailed his daughter's musical talents as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
"She could hear a piece of music and then pick up and play it at the drop of a heartbeat," he said.
"To have all that talent taken away right now that kills me."
Charlize's family earlier issued a statement saying she was a shining light who touched everyone she met.
"She loved the beach and it truly was her happiest place on earth," it read.
"She loved four-wheel-driving up the beach and anyone who went with her knew they would have to stop and pick up every piece of rubbish she saw along the way.
"Please focus on the incredible life she lived and not the awful way she died."
Ambulance Queensland said the teenage victim died soon after she was pulled from the water. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)
Surf Life Saving Queensland chief executive Dave Whimpey said it was shocking and confronting to hear they had lost one of their own.
"These incidents do happen, they're quite rare, but it does happen to a lifesaver, a young girl and everything to live for doing what she loved," he said.
"But the family is saying 'please enjoy the water'."
Tributes soon began flowing in for the teen, with a vigil to be held for Charlize at Woorim Beach from 6pm AEST on Tuesday.
"It's the kind of heartbreak that shakes the very foundation of who we are, leaving us reeling in disbelief, grief and sorrow beyond words," her Bribie Island swimming club said on Facebook.
"Her kindness, her laughter, her strength - these are all gifts she has left behind and they will live on in all who knew and loved her."
What happened on Woorim Beach at Bribie Island late yesterday is devastating. — David Crisafulli (@DavidCrisafulli) For someone so young to lose their life in a shark attack is an unimaginable tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and Bribie community. Thank you to our first responders…February 3, 2025
Principal of her Caboolture college Michael Connolly said Charlize had served the school and local communities with distinction.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli added: "To think that a young girl doing what she loves could have her life taken away is really, really troubling".
In the past decade there has been an average of 20 shark incidents nationwide every year, according to the Australian Shark-Incident Database.
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