Great white killed Ballina surfer

A large great white shark tore the legs off a surfer in a fatal attack on the NSW north coast, a shark expert says.

The marine scientist travelled to Shelly Beach, near Ballina, after 41-year-old Tadashi Nakahara was killed on Monday.

Police say on his advice they are able to confirm that a three-to-four metre great white shark attacked Mr Nakahara.

Mr Nakahara was paddling out when he was attacked.

A group of surfers dragged the Japanese man from the water and performed CPR but he died on the beach.

Nearby beaches remain closed, but lifesavers say this is due more to rough sea, rather than the shark danger.

Police, SES, lifesavers and council staff on Tuesday searched beaches six kilometres either side of Ballina.

There have been no sightings of a large shark since Monday's attack.

Mr Nakahara's death is the fourth fatal shark attack in Australia in five months.

Surfers who were with Mr Nakahara said the shark "came up behind and took his board and his legs".

The shark expert thinks it's unlikely that the shark responsible for Mr Nakahara's death would still be in the area.