The unthinkable happened to experienced Australian angler Paul Barning, leaving the crew of his boat stunned. The group was fishing in a tournament about 30 nautical miles east of Newcastle, Australia, when the angler was pulled overboard while battling a large shark.
On Sunday, Feb. 23, Paul Barning’s boat was participating in the New South Wales Game Fish Association’s interclub state championships. The group was attempting to unhook a large mako shark, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, and bring it aboard, presumably to weigh it back at the dock, when Barning became tangled in the line. It is believed the shark got free of the crew, and pulled him overboard.
“After the entanglement we believe the shark has submerged, pulling the man into that water,” said New South Wales Police Superintendent Joe McNulty during a press conference held on Feb. 24.
Upon news of the tragic event, the tournament was immediately stopped. The 40 vessels in participation joined the rescue efforts in an attempt to find Barning.
“Paul Barning, current secretary, past president and life member of Port Hacking game fishing club was a highly experienced game fisherman,” New South Wales Game Fish Association President Steve Lamond said in a statement issued on Monday. “He was tragically lost at sea in the most unlikely of circumstances whilst fishing on his boat Dark Horse off Port Stephens on Sunday.”
Preliminary reports indicated that Barning was attacked by the shark, but Lamond shut down those claims in the release.
“Some reports you may have seen indicate [Barning] was attacked by a shark after falling overboard, this is fabricated and untrue news reporting,” Lamond said in the release.
The Police Superintendent noted that Barning wasn’t wearing a life jacket, which “might have assisted in his recovery.”
Authorities will continue to look for Barning and plan on expanding the search radius. But McNulty cautions that recovery efforts will be difficult, as the area experiences currents of 4.5 mph or greater. He also highlighted the importance of wearing a life jacket.
“Doesn’t matter how experienced you are, how long you’ve been fishing, please wear a life jacket. It’s just a safety message that we really need to get out to all members of the boating community,” McNulty said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Leonie, his son Sam and daughters Eleanor and Brigette in this trying time,” Lamond said. “We also have the crew and their families in our thoughts and prayers. To those participants of the tournament that assisted in the search efforts, we thank you.”
There is a GoFundMe set up by Lamond to assist the family through this tragic time.
