Search Suspended for Missing Fisherman Who Hooked Shark and Got Dragged into the Ocean

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul Barning/Facebook; Marine Rescue NSW/Facebook

On Sunday, Feb. 23, Paul Barning, 58, was in the NSW Game Fishing Association’s interclub state championships off the coast of Newcastle when he became entangled in a line used to secure a large mako shark that pulled him into the water,The Sydney Morning Heraldreported.

“After the entanglement we believe the shark has submerged, pulling the man into that water,” police superintendent Joe McNulty said in a press conference on Monday, Feb 24, according to7NEWS Australia.

“We believe the shark was quite large. Their vessel was only 6.8 metres in length,” McNulty said, adding that Barning “tragically” wasn’t wearing a life jacket, which “might have assisted in his recovery.”

Rescue teams from multiple agencies responded to help search for Barning, according to police.

The marine rescue team.Marine Rescue NSW/Facebook

Marine Rescue NSW/Facebook

“The search for the 58-year-old man continued during daylight hours on Sunday 23 February 2025, yesterday (Monday 24 February 2025), and today (Tuesday 25 February 2025),” the agency said in its release on Tuesday.

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Before the search was paused, the NSW Game Fish Associationshared a statement on Facebooksaying Barning was a “much loved revered member of our community.”

“Paul Barning, current secretary, past president and life member of Port Hacking game fishing club was a highly experienced game fisherman,” they added. “He was tragically lost at sea in the most unlikely of circumstances whilst fishing on his boat Dark Horse off Port Stephens on Sunday.”

The organization thanked the other men on the boat who tried to help Barning. Though they were only able to pull the shark onboard, there was no sign of the missing man, according toThe Sydney Morning Herald.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Leonie, his son Sam and daughters Eleanor and Brigette in this trying time,” the association added.

source: people.com