Australian authorities claim fisherman fell overboard from boat after being pulled by shark

Police officials in Australia have said that a recreational fisherman had fallen overboard from his boat and has gone missing after he was pulled into the water by a mako shark off the coast of New South Wales on Sunday, February 23.

The NSW Game Fishing Association identified the individual as Paul Barning of Sydney, who was participating in a fishing competition some 55 kilometres off Newcastle when the incident occurred.

The competition has since been called off to permit authorities to conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations in the surrounding waters.

NSW Police clarified that the incident was not a shark attack and that Mr Barning had instead become entangled in fishing gear, which was then dragged through the water by the shark. This then caused Mr Barning to be pulled underwater.

Over 40 boats have been assisting NSW Police in the SAR effort. However, no trace of Mr Barning has yet been found.

NSW Police Superintendent Joe McNulty told local media that Mr Barning was not wearing a lifejacket when he was pulled overboard.

The search area currently covers 1,500 nautical miles and has since extended south towards Jervis Bay east of Canberra.

Superintendent McNulty said the search for the missing fisherman will continue on Tuesday, February 25.