Coronial inquest into death of abalone diver Peter Clarkson, killed by great white sharks, held in Port Lincoln THE death of an experienced abalone diver taken by two great white sharks off the state's West Coast in 2011 will be examined in a coronial inquest starting tomorrow. Peter Clarkson, 49, was surfacing to a fishing vessel east of Perforated Island, near Coffin Bay, on Thursday, February 17, when the attack happened . His body and equipment were never found. At the time, police said they believed Mr Clarkson was taken by two great white sharks and that the vessel's skipper had witnessed the tragedy. State Coroner Mark Johns will begin the inquest in the Port Lincoln Magistrates Court today. He is expected to investigate how emergency services were notified about the incident. Peter Clarkson was taken by two sharks off the state's West Coast in 2011. Witnesses called to give evidence include: VESSEL skipper Howard Rodd. POLICE officers and forensic investigators. ABALONE divers and industry representatives. Mr Clarkson, who lived in Esperance, Western Australia, spent three months of every year diving for abalone off the state's West Coast. He was a professional diver for more than 20 years, but told neighbours he still feared unloading his catch at the surface. At the time, The Advertiser reported that while Mr Clarkson was an advocate of protective shark shields, it was unknown if he was wearing the electronic device and, if so, whether it was switched on. Experts said there was a one in 10 million chance of being attacked by two great white sharks at the same time. Abalone divers can earn more than $100,000 in 55 days and are known to take calculated risks by entering the great white's favourite hunting ground. The industry pumps about $50 million a year into the South Australian economy and has helped turn Port Lincoln into one of the wealthiest towns in Australia. Mr Clarkson's death is the last known shark-related fatality in South Australia since 2005. The inquest is expected to finish on Thursday or Friday.