A fishing expedition off the coast of New Castle ended in tragedy when 58-year-old Paul Barning was pulled overboard by a large mako shark,

A missing fisherman in Australia was dragged from a boat by a shark entangled in fishing gear, officials in New South Wales said.

Avid fisherman Paul Barning, 58, was taking part in the Game Fishing Association state tournament off the coast of New South Wales in Australia when he disappeared into the ocean

Marine police say a missing fisherman reeled in a mako shark and then lost his footing before being dragged under water 55 kilometres off the NSW coast.

Australian authorities have been unable to locate a fisherman who fell overboard during a competition. The search was officially suspended Tuesday.

Police in Newcastle, Australia have revealed 58-year-old Paul Barning was pulled overboard after becoming entangled in his line during a fishing competition on Sunday