Mick Fanning misses out on win in final professional surf

Aussie surfing champion Mick Fanning has labelled his final professional surf a "career highlight" after coming agonisingly close to a first-place victory.

Fanning lost out to Brazil’s Italo Ferreira this morning, who scored 15.66 to the Aussie's 12.83. 

It is the first title win on the world tour for Ferreira, while Fanning ends his career alongside Kelly Slater as a four-time Bells champion.

"I'm elated actually," Fanning told 9NEWS.

"To walk away with a little bell in my last ever event is really special. I'm just stoked I got to put on a bit of a performance."

He said the send-off had been "amazing", and thanked his family, friends and heroes for being there.

"I'm very humbled and very honoured," he said.

He now plans to turn to conservation work around the world.

Despite the defeat, Fanning gave the cheering crowd a wave as he walked to the shore. 

"It's really special, a very special moment," he told reporters.

"It's been an amazing career, I want to thank everyone along the way.

"I walk away with so many great memories."

Among the surfer's supporters was fellow Aussie and pro-surfer Stephanie Gilmore, fresh from claiming her fourth Bells title. She is the first to do so since Sally Fitzgibbons in 2012.

With three world titles to his name, Fanning is one of the country’s most prolific surfers, earning the nickname “White Lightning” along with an Order of Australia for his service to the sport.

In 2015, he made worldwide headlines for his encounter with a shark at the J-Bay Open finals in South Africa.

Cameras showed Fanning punching the predator, before a wave obstructed the view of spectators- leaving the crowd momentarily fearing the worst.

Thankfully the surfer managed to flee to shore unharmed.

“I’m just happy I’m alive,” Fanning told reporters following the event.

He was back in the water less than a week after the encounter.