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Search resumes for man dragged overboard near Newcastle during fishing competition Missing fisher believed to have become entangled while retrieving shark, NSW police say
(about 4 hours later)
People on board the boat said a shark was involved in the man being lost overboard, but another fisher disputed the account Search for man dragged overboard near Newcastle during fishing competition hampered by fast-moving currents
A multi-agency search resumed on Monday for a man reported to have been taken by a shark after falling off a boat near Newcastle. Police say the “very experienced” fisher who went missing overboard during a fishing competition on Sunday afternoon is believed to have become entangled in fishing gear before he was dragged off the boat.
However another fisherman has denied a shark was involved and said the man was dragged overboard in a freak accident while fishing. A multi-agency search is underway for game fisher Paul Barning, after he fell overboard while fishing at about 1pm on Sunday, 55km off the coast of Newcastle.
Experienced game fisherman Paul Barning fell overboard while competing in a fishing competition around 1pm on Sunday, 55km off the coast of Newcastle, NSW police said in a statement. Barning was initially reported to have been taken by a shark after falling off the boat, but another fisher denied a shark was involved and said the man was dragged overboard in a freak accident.
Supt Joe McNulty, from the New South Wales police marine area command, said Barning was believed to have been forced overboard after he became entangled in his fishing gear while retrieving a shark, but there was no evidence the shark had attacked him.
“What we can confirm is the vessel had hooked up a shark in its fishing gear and they were trying to retrieve the shark, usually for a tag and release program,” McNulty said on Monday afternoon.
“We believe the shark was quite large – the vessel was only 6.8m in length itself so during that process of bringing the shark alongside, he has become entangled in the fishing line and the shark has taken off.
“That fishing line has pulled taut and maybe contributed to him going over the side of the vessel.”
McNulty added there was “no evidence” the shark attacked Barning in the water.
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NSW ambulance said marine rescue was informed via marine radio that a person had fallen into the water and was taken by a shark. On Monday afternoon, the search was being hampered by fast-moving currents. It was due to resume on Tuesday, extending as far south as Jervis Bay, east of Canberra.
A spokesperson said other people on board the boat were assessed but did not require treatment. “It is a large search area, it’s 1500 nautical miles at this stage, because the current is moving so fast,” McNulty said.
Those on board also reported a shark was involved, the spokesperson said.
Crews from the water police, marine rescue and the Lifesaver helicopter responded to the incident on Sunday.Crews from the water police, marine rescue and the Lifesaver helicopter responded to the incident on Sunday.
The NSW Game Fishing Association president, Steve Lamond, who said he had known Barning for 20 years, described the incident as a freak accident.
“He was basically dragged overboard, underwater and disappeared,” he said on Monday.
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“He was tragically lost at sea in the most unlikely of circumstances whilst fishing on his boat.” The NSW Game Fishing Association president, Steve Lamond, who said he had known Barning for 20 years, described the incident as a freak accident.
He said it had not been a shark attack. “He was basically dragged overboard, underwater and disappeared,” he said on Monday. “He was tragically lost at sea in the most unlikely of circumstances whilst fishing on his boat.”
“I urge all members, their families and friends to refrain from speculation,” he said.
A spokesperson for NSW marine rescue said its crews were on standby to assist with the rescue operations on Monday if required, as the incident occurred outside its normal capabilities.
Its volunteer crew from Port Stephens responded to the incident on Sunday, and did not return to the shore until after midnight.
“Where this is happening is a long way offshore,” the spokesperson said. “It’s pretty fatiguing on any person who is assisting that search … It’s a different ballgame out there.”
- with AAP- with AAP