A major air and sea search is under way for a fisherman believed to have been taken by a shark off the NSW coast.
Today, a man was participating in a fishing competition that spanned across the state off the coast of Port Stephens near Newcastle. Unfortunately, he fell off his boat and reportedly found himself under attack by a great white shark.
Authorities including the NSW Water Police, Marine Rescue NSW, and the Life Saver Rescue helicopter were involved in a search operation in the area, which was located 55 kilometers off the coast of Newcastle, north of Sydney.
About 50 fishing vessels also joined.
The man fell overboard aboout 1pm, with emergency services called 35 minutes later, NSW Police said.
Inspector Paula Steer from NSW Ambulance said paramedics were on standby.
“We are using all of our resources to hope for a positive outcome,” Steer said.
Fishing competitions are popular off this part of the NSW coastline.
In a similar incident just a week prior, a different group of anglers had a close encounter with another white shark during a competition at the same spot. The shark managed to steal half of their catch before swimming away.
