Search for missing fisherman off Newcastle declared a recovery mission after ‘freak accident’

The search for a fisherman who vanished off the coast of Port Stephens, after becoming tangled in fishing gear and dragged underwater by a hooked shark, has been called off.

Newcastle Storm: Westpac Rescue Helicopter conducting transfer to John Hunter Hospital on March 28 in rocky conditions.

The search for a fisherman who vanished off the coast of Newcastle has been called off.

Paul Barning, 58, was participating in a game fishing tournament near Port Stephens on Sunday when he became tangled in fishing tackle and fell into the water about 1pm on Sunday.

His friends have described the incident as a “freak accident.”

Authorities searched more than 1500 nautical miles for the fisherman, with the initial rescue mission eventually turning into a recovery mission.

Police said the man had become entangled in line hooked to a mako shark.

Barning, a member of the Port Hacking Fishing Club, went overboard on his boat The Dark Horse during a NSW Game Fishing Association tournament.

Paul Barning has been missing for more than 24 hours. Picture: Facebook / 9News

Marine Area Command Commander Superintendent Joe McNulty said Barning had become tangled in his own fishing gear while hooked up to a mako shark.

“It appears the four people on board had hooked up to a mako shark, they were probably bringing the shark alongside to tag and release,” he said.

“He’s been caught up in the gear and the shark which may have been spooked by the boat has dived… he’s gone over the side, he never resurfaced.”

Police praised some 40 boat crews who immediately terminated the annual event to join the search operation.

“It showed real strong mateship, to come look for your mate under such tragic circumstances,” Supt McNulty said.

Police also confirmed Mr Barning was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident, and urged all boaties going offshore to wear one.

A major search is underway with rescue helicopters currently visible on the flight radar flying back and forth in a search pattern, over the ocean off Newcastle.

“Our safety message is if you go boating and are at least 55km off our coast everyone on that boat should have had a life jacket on,” he said.

“That life jacket possibly could have saved his life.”

NSW Game Fishing Association President Steve Lamond said Barning was a “much-loved and revered” member of the local fishing community.

“As most of you are now probably aware we lost a much loved and revered member of our community during the NSWGFA Interclub tournament,” Mr Lamond said in a statement.

“Paul Barning, current secretary, past president and life member of Port Hacking Game Fishing Club was a highly experienced game fisherman.

“He was tragically lost at sea in the most unlikely of circumstances whilst fishing on his boat Dark Horse off Port Stephens on Sunday.

“Some reports you may have seen indicate he was attacked by a shark after falling overboard, this is untrue.

“It was absolutely just a freak tragedy that has occurred during an attempt to capture a fish,” he later told media.

Mr Lamond said the association’s “thoughts and prayers” were with Barning’s wife Leonie, son Sam and daughters Eleanor and Brigette “in this trying time”.

“We also have the crew and their families in our thoughts and prayers,” he said

“To those participants of the tournament that assisted in the search efforts, we thank you.

“This devastating accident highlights the risks involved in doing what we all love, game fishing. Please look out for each other and stay safe.

“We will endeavour to keep you informed as we progress through this tragic event and the circumstances surrounding it.”

On Tuesday evening, police issued a statement saying the search for Mr Barning had been suspended.

It said: “Despite the efforts of searchers, the man has not yet been located, and the search was suspended at 5pm today and will not resume tomorrow.”