Police have provided new details regarding the disappearance of fisherman Paul Barning, who was reported missing after falling overboard during a fishing competition off the Port Stephens coast near Newcastle. According to NSW Police Superintendent Joe McNulty, Barning was entangled in his fishing line and was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
The 58-year-old was participating in the Game Fishing Association state tournament when he was pulled into the water around 1pm on Sunday. It is believed that the vessel was reeling in a mako shark when Barning became entangled in the fishing line, leading to his tragic fall overboard. Superintendent McNulty mentioned that the shark was quite large, and the vessel was relatively small at 6.8m in length.
Unfortunately, despite ongoing search efforts, Barning has not been recovered. Superintendent McNulty emphasized the importance of wearing a life jacket, stating that it may have assisted in his recovery if he had been wearing one at the time of the incident. He also confirmed that there was no evidence of a shark attack on Barning.
The search for Barning continues, but challenging conditions such as water temperatures between 25C and 27C and fast currents have made the operation difficult. The NSW Game and Fishing Association paid tribute to Barning, describing him as a highly experienced game fisherman and a beloved member of their community.
NSW GFA president Steve Lamond expressed condolences to Barning’s family and highlighted the tragic nature of the incident, calling it an “absolute freak tragedy.” He clarified that there was no shark attack involved, but rather a series of unfortunate events that led to Barning’s disappearance.
The three other individuals on board managed to reach the Nelson Bay area and undergo welfare assessments from paramedics. Despite declining clinical assessments, they received support from chaplain services to cope with the situation. A multi-agency search involving Water Police, Lifesaver helicopter, and Marine Rescue NSW was launched to locate Barning.
In light of this incident, authorities stress the importance of safety precautions while on the water, urging all boaters to wear life jackets regardless of their experience level. The fishing community mourns the loss of Paul Barning and continues to support his family during this difficult time.
