Surfing great Mick Fanning pays tribute after death of brother ...

Three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning has paid tribute to his older brother Edward, whose death is the third among the Fanning siblings.

Edward Fanning died in Madagascar, off Africa's east coast.

Younger brother Mick credited Edward with introducing him to surfing and "always sticking up for the underdog".

"You taught me so much over the years about everything that life could deal up," Mick Fanning posted on social media.

"The good and the bad you were my teacher. You introduced us all to surfing, the joy and freedom of riding a wave."

A friend said Edward Fanning had been working at a surf camp in Madagascar when he died.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing assistance to his family.

"We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time," the department said in a statement.

Mick Fanning with his late brother Edward, who he credits with introducing him to surfing. (Instagram)

Edward Fanning is the third Fanning brother to have died.

Peter Fanning died in his sleep from a health condition in 2015 and Sean Fanning was killed in a car crash at Coolangatta in 1998.

The surfing great Mick Fanning had his own near-death encounter when he was attacked by a shark during a competition in South Africa in 2015.

Gold Coast-based friend Stevie Maher said Edward Fanning's death was devastating.

"I was super close with the family and, put it this way, he was in my wedding party, we would go on surf trips together," he said.

"[It's] such a shame to have another Fanning family [member] pass away."