Hundreds gather on Perth beach to honour shark attack victim Greg O'Neill

More than a thousand people, many dressed in blue, gathered on Perth's Sorrento beach today to pay tribute to Greg O'Neill, who was killed by a shark just off the shore a few weeks ago.

Son Keelan O'Neill urged the crowd to return to the water and "keep doing the things that you love", adding that his father would have wanted everyone to "embrace life to the fullest".

The 63-year-old was swimming close to the shoreline in September when he was attacked and killed by a large great white. He was the third person killed by a shark in Western Australia so far this year.

"He'd wish for you all to keep exercising … keep swimming, keep paddling, keep doing the things that you love as dad would have done, and the things that bring you happiness," Keelan O'Neill said.

Mr O'Neill's daughter, Bianca, thanked the crowd, saying: "The love, support and kindness we have received from this community is beyond belief. The water was Dad's happy healing place; he wouldn't want anyone to feel unsafe because of what happened."

The family was the first among the crowd to throw a handful of sand into the surf in memory of the beloved father, husband, brother and friend who frequented the beach.

Mr O'Neill's swimming group, the Sorrento Squids, were back in the water on Sunday, including, for the first time, the friend who was swimming with him on the day he was killed.

Tom Webster, another member of the group, said today's tribute ceremony was another step towards helping the group — and the broader community — come to terms with their loss.

"As a group, this is going to help heal us, bring us together and move forward," said Mr Webster. "Individually, we have all struggled a little bit. I know I have."

He said he believed Mr O'Neill was "splashing about" in the ocean today with the crowds.

"It was great to see so many people jumping in today. They have got over that fear of Sorrento being a sad place or a scary place. We are reclaiming it," he added.

Mr O'Neill's death was the third fatal shark attack in Western Australia this year and has reignited debate about how to keep beachgoers safe.

Head of the Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club, Robert Doherty, said a shark barrier at the beach in Perth's north would ease concerns.

"Would I be supportive? Yes," he said. "I think something small, in an area of the beach, that doesn't affect the whole beach."

Many from the surf lifesaving club have been left shaken by the fatal attack, including members who witnessed the attack, took part in the tribute.

"We gathered about 20-odd members that were directly involved that day and had a [counselling] session," Mr Doherty said. "We thought it was really appropriate that the community does come together today to share a moment, dip your feet in the water."

Those who entered the surf on Sunday did so under the watchful eye of Water Police, Marine Rescue Surf Life Savers and two shark-spotting drones.