Aussie surfer and shark surviver Mick Fanning has confirmed he and designer wife Karissa Dalton have split after eight years of marriage.

One of the most popular surfers on the world tour dropped the bombshell their marriage was in trouble with a statement on Facebook his morning.

'Karissa has stood by me since we first met in 2004. We have shared plenty of great times but more importantly she has helped me through some of the toughest moments in my life, especially this past year," he wrote.

'There has been some speculation about our marriage coming to an end over the past six months. We refuted those claims because we were both committed to working things out since we separated last February.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"It has been a traumatic seven months for Fanning who fought off a shark during competition last year and then lost his brother Peter just hours before attempting to win a fourth World title - a feat he failed to achieve.

It was generally understood the pair had broken up when Fanning was attacked by a shark at Jeffrey's Bay in South Africa mid last year but briefly reconciled in the wake of the drama.

They were photographed together at numerous award nights and functions when Fanning returned to Australia.

"After giving it our all though, late last year we made the tough mutual decision to move on separately,' Fanning revealed on Facebook.

"It feels weird to put our personal life out there like this but we want to eliminate any speculation about this decision.

"We're still close and there's a lot of love there."

'This is the only statement we'll be making about our relationship and we appreciate everyone respecting our privacy concerning this matter. Thanks so much."

-News.com.au