A kill order for the shark which attacked a Western Australian teenager on the state’s south coast has been withdrawn.

Jay Muscat, 17, died on Monday after being mauled by a shark off Cheynes Beach, 66km east of Albany.

His friend told authorities he fired a spear gun at the animal, believed to be up to five metres long, after it attacked.

• Teen killed in shark attack

The Department of Fisheries deployed drum lines and said if the shark was caught, it would likely be destroyed.

But Department of Fisheries Acting Director General Dr Rick Fletcher on Wednesday rescinded the kill order.

In a statement, Dr Fletcher said since the attack there had been no sightings of a shark considered a “serious threat”.

“Given that a significant period has elapsed since the tragic incident, which occurred at midday on Monday, and that there have been no further sightings of a high hazard shark in the Cheynes Beach region, it is appropriate to rescind the capture order,” he said.

The beach reopened on Wednesday afternoon.

WA teenager ‘lived life to the full’

Jay Muscat’s family say he had a passion for fishing and the ocean. Photo: Supplied

Jay’s family released a statement saying they were devastated by his death, and remembering the Albany teenager’s love of the ocean.

“Jay loved life to the full and was most happy fishing and diving,” the family said.

“From a very early age it was obvious that fishing was his passion and was always going to be a huge part of his life, we can take some comfort in knowing Jay passed doing something he loved.

“He loved growing up in Albany and had just completed year 12. He was enjoying his new found freedom of the summer break with friends before finding a job.”

His mates also paid tribute to the young man.

“Doesn’t matter what group of friends he’s with, he makes everything so happy and cheerful when you’re around that guy,” friend Zac Goodall said.

“I’ve never been around someone that makes everyone more happy, he’s the nicest guy I’ve ever met, best friend.”

Another friend, Max Gerovich, said he lived life to the full.

“Knowing that he died doing what he loved, like, in the water that’s what he was all about, pretty much living life to the full,” he said.