A suspected shark attack has left a fisherman missing off Newcastle’s coast during a fishing competition.
Marine rescue was called out yesterday afternoon following reports the fisherman had gone overboard and didn’t resurface during a competition.
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NSW Police tasked volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Stephens to assist in the multi-agency search about 55 kilometres east of Newcastle.
Witnesses reported seeing a shark in the vicinity, although an attack has not been confirmed.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said rescue vessel Port Stephens 31 was deployed around 2pm on Sunday 23 August.
“The Marine Rescue NSW crew on board Port Stephens 31 are assisting NSW Water Police with a parallel line search”.
“The search is expected to continue tomorrow with Marine Rescue NSW vessels Terrigal 30 and Newcastle 30 ready to assist,” Raymond said.
The fisherman was taking part in the New South Wales Game Fishing Association (NSWGFA) Interclub tournament.
The event involved more than 80 boats and was cancelled immediately following the incident.
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