Rahul Somvanshi
The search for experienced game fisherman Paul Barning continues after a freak accident during a fishing competition off the coast of Newcastle. The 58-year-old went missing on Sunday when he was pulled overboard after becoming entangled in fishing line while trying to retrieve a hooked mako shark.
NSW Police Superintendent Joe McNulty clarified that contrary to initial reports, the shark did not attack Barning.
“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. “We believe the shark was quite large – the vessel was only 6.8 metres in length itself.”
During the process of bringing the shark alongside the boat, Barning became tangled in the fishing line. When the shark took off, “that fishing line has pulled taut and maybe contributed to him going over the side of the vessel,” McNulty explained.
The incident occurred about 55 kilometers offshore. Three other men on the boat, Dark Horse, attempted unsuccessfully to rescue Barning. They managed to pull the shark onboard, but there was no sign of the Yowie Bay fisher.
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Authorities have expanded the search area to 1,500 nautical miles due to fast-moving currents, extending as far south as Port Kembla. Multiple agencies including water police, marine rescue, and life saver rescue helicopters are involved in the operation.
Safety experts note that Barning was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident. Superintendent McNulty emphasized that a life jacket “might have saved his life.”
The incident has deeply affected the fishing community. Steve Lamond, president of the NSW Game Fishing Association, described it as a “freak tragedy” and “something that you are not likely to ever see again.”
“Definitely no shark attack, as such, involved,” Lamond said. “It was absolutely just a freak tragedy that has occurred during an attempt to capture a fish.”
Barning was a life member and secretary of the Port Hacking Game Fishing Club. In 2021, he and crew members of the Dark Horse had caught a 395-kilogram tiger shark during the interclub championships.
The search comes one week after fishers competing in a Newcastle and Port Stephens Game Fish Club tournament reported several great white sharks in the same waters.
