As jet skis rescued Mick Fanning from a shark attack, a lonely photographer was left bobbing in the water, just 150 metres away.

All attention was on Fanning this week after the Australian surfer survived a shark attack during the finals of the J-Bay Open World Surf League event in South Africa.

But as jet skis rescued Fanning and fellow surfer Julian Wilson, official event photographer Kelly Cestari was left bobbing in the water.

According to the World Surf League (WSL) website, Cestari said he saw a splash and shortly after heard the beach commentator scream "Get to Mick".

"There had been a wave and I was looking through it and I saw the initial splash and Mick spin around and then I saw the fin slap at him," Cestari said

He said he then himself yelled "Go get Mick, go get Mick" as boats and jet skis sped towards Fanning.

"The boats and the jet skis had already taken off and were in full speed, which is their job, to get the guy in trouble."

Mick Fanning is rescued from the water by jet skis after the shark attack. ( WSL: Kirstin Scholtz )

He said what occurred after that is still a haze for him but he soon realised he himself was in danger.

"... the boats were gone so I needed to get in. But I actually hung around for like maybe a minute thinking the jet skis would come back to me," he said.

"Once I realised they were going in, it was time for me to swim in.

Surf photographer Kelly Cestari was left bobbing in the water, just 150 metres away from the shark that attacked Mick Fanning. ( supplied: Kelly Cestari Photography )

"All I can remember is that I didn't want to cause too much splash, catching the swells as I was coming in."

Once he reached the beach and watched Fanning speak to the press, he then broke down.

"After seeing Mick do the interview and break down, once I had gotten out of my wetsuit I had a few moments to think about it and that's when I sort of started having a meltdown, going through all the different scenarios that could have happened but thankfully didn't," he said.

World Surf League CEO Paul Speaker said in an official statement that he was "proud of the way" the WSL team handled the situation "with distinction and respect".

"We will take time to review this situation in depth and see what we can learn," Mr Speaker said.

"We will continue to review various procedures regarding shark safety, emerging research and technologies as well as event site selection."

Wife texted Cestari 'There's sharks, please don't go'

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Cestari said that day he had texted his wife as he does every time before he goes into the water.

"Before I was in the water for the final I sent her a message saying 'I'm going in," he said.

"Her response was 'There's sharks, please don't go.'

"I think she got the message after everything had happened, but as soon as I came in I phoned her and was like, 'I'm cool, I'm fine, I'm safe, taking care of everyone else.'

"I think it was about 20 minutes after that I phoned her again and had a little meltdown."