The search operation for a 44-year-old fisherman who went missing off the Gold Coast has now entered a recovery phase after three days of extensive air and sea searches. His fishing vessel, a black half-cabin cruiser, was discovered adrift approximately 25 nautical miles southeast of the Gold Coast Seaway. Authorities reported that the boat appeared to be in good condition, raising questions about the circumstances of the man's disappearance.

During the search efforts, an inactive Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) registered to the missing fisherman was located approximately 14 nautical miles off Ballina. The discovery of the vessel and the EPIRB, which is typically used in emergencies, has led police to remain in close contact with the man's family while continuing to seek information from the public regarding his whereabouts.

As the search operations were scaled back, the focus shifted to recovery, indicating the severity of the situation. The inability to locate the fisherman has prompted authorities to encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward, as they work towards providing answers to his family about this tragic incident.