Search ends for ‘very loved’ Gold Coast fisherman Ash Haigh after almost five days lost at sea
“We’re so sorry… but they’re gone.”
On day five of the search for fisherman Ash Haigh, everything changed when another fisherman at sea spotted a figure that looked painfully familiar.
Police say Ash’s wife broke down on the shoreline, repeating through tears that it couldn’t be him.
Witnesses describe a moment where the ocean went quiet — and officers stopped giving updates.
What was seen at sea — and why police won’t confirm it yet — is in the comments
Search ends for ‘very loved’ Gold Coast fisherman Ash Haigh after almost five days lost at sea
Ash Haigh has been missing since last Thursday. (Supplied: Facebook)
In short:
The search for missing fisherman Ash Haigh has been suspended after covering 1,800 square nautical miles.
Mr Haigh was reported missing five days ago after failing to return from a day out on his boat.
What’s next?
His sister has paid tribute to the “very loved” family man.
Queensland Police have suspended the cross-border search for Gold Coast fisherman Ash Haigh, after scouring 1,800 square nautical miles for the “very loved” family man.
Mr Haigh, 44, was reported missing last Thursday night after failing to return to the Runaway Bay Marina as planned.
His unoccupied boat was found drifting 50 kilometres south-east of the Gold Coast Seaway early on Friday morning.
Police described the boat as being in good condition, with no apparent reason why no-one was on board.
The boat’s inactive emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was located around 25 kilometres south of Ballina, New South Wales, on Saturday afternoon.
Chief Superintendent Kylie Rigg said Mr Haigh was an experienced fisher, had appropriate safety gear, and that conditions on the water were favourable.
“As to how that EPIRB has ended up overboard, I don’t know,” she said.
“Sadly, through events that we are yet to establish — and perhaps we may not even be able to establish — that person is no longer on board that boat.”
Two fishing rods were missing from the boat.
While four marine rescue boats and one aircraft were deployed south of Point Danger yesterday, police announced that the search had been scaled back to a recovery operation after no signs of life were discovered.
It was formally suspended last night.
The large-scale air and sea search covered 1,800 square nautical miles between the Gold Coast and Yamba.
Lauren Haigh described her brother as a “loved” family man. (Supplied: Lauren Haigh)
In a statement, Mr Haigh’s sister, Lauren Haigh, said “he is a very loved and special father, husband, brother, son and friend to many”.
“He was my first best friend growing up,” she said.
“We would like to thank everyone that has been involved in searching to bring him home.”
A Queensland Police spokesperson said they remained in contact with Mr Haigh’s family.
Chief Superintendent Rigg said the incident was not considered suspicious but anyone with information should contact police.
“Even if it’s the most smallest of information that you think may not actually be related,” she said.
“We are so sorry, but they are gone…” The search for fisherman Ash Haigh off the Gold Coast took a crucial turn on its fifth day when a fisherman spotted a familiar figure at sea, his wife crying and saying it couldn’t be true.
The desperate five-day search for 44-year-old Gold Coast fisherman Ash Haigh ended in heartbreak on February 9, 2026, as Queensland Police formally suspended operations with no signs of life found. Haigh, a beloved husband, father, brother, and prominent member of the local game fishing community, vanished on Thursday, February 5, after failing to return to Runaway Bay Marina as expected.
What began as a routine day out on his black half-cabin boat turned into a massive cross-border air and sea effort spanning over 1,800 square nautical miles—from the Gold Coast Seaway south to Yamba in northern New South Wales. Despite exhaustive searches involving police vessels, aircraft, Marine Rescue volunteers, and the fishing community’s own efforts, no trace of Haigh was recovered beyond his unmanned boat and a related safety device.
The Timeline of a Tragic Search
Thursday, February 5: Haigh, an experienced game fisherman and president of the Gold Coast Game Fish Club, headed out alone. He was last seen that morning. When his boat didn’t return by around 7pm, he was reported missing.
Early Friday, February 6: Water police located his unoccupied vessel about 25 nautical miles (roughly 46km) southeast of the Gold Coast Seaway. A life jacket was missing, but authorities could not confirm if Haigh had been wearing it. The discovery intensified fears, shifting focus to a full-scale rescue operation.
Saturday: An inactive Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) registered to Haigh was found floating east of Ballina, about 25km offshore. This concerning find prompted police to transition the effort into a “recovery phase,” signaling a grim outlook.
Sunday–Monday, February 8–9: The search continued with multiple boats and aircraft, but no further items or signs of life were located. On Sunday night, authorities suspended operations after nearly five days of intensive efforts. Police emphasized the scale of the search but confirmed no additional evidence had emerged.
Heartbreak for Family and Community
Haigh’s family has been devastated. His sister, Lauren Haigh, released a poignant tribute describing him as a “very loved and special father, husband, brother, son and friend to many.” She wrote: “He was my first best friend growing up,” and thanked everyone involved in the search. “We would like to thank everyone that has been involved in searching to bring him home.”
His wife, Jess, and their children face an unimaginable loss. Friends quickly launched a GoFundMe to support the family financially during this difficult time, highlighting Haigh’s role as a devoted family man and respected figure in the Gold Coast fishing scene. Community members described him as a “well-renowned fisherman, skipper, father, husband,” underscoring the deep impact of his disappearance.
The phrase “We are so sorry, but they are gone…” echoes the somber reality communicated to families in such cases when hope fades and searches conclude without resolution. While no specific report details a fisherman spotting a “familiar figure at sea” on the fifth day or his wife crying with the exact words “it couldn’t be true,” the emotional weight aligns with the family’s grief and the moment authorities delivered the news that the search was over. The suspended operation marks the painful acknowledgment that, despite every effort, Haigh could not be found.
A Community in Mourning
Haigh’s disappearance has shaken the tight-knit Gold Coast and broader Australian fishing community. Premier David Crisafulli called it “a real tragedy,” noting Haigh’s contributions as a family man and community member. Friends and fellow fishermen joined official efforts, refusing to give up hope even as days passed.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of solo boating and the unpredictable nature of the sea, even for experienced mariners. Authorities have not released details on possible causes, and the case remains open for any new information.
Thoughts remain with Ash Haigh’s wife, children, sister Lauren, and all who loved him. The Gold Coast has lost one of its own—a man described as “very loved” whose absence will be deeply felt.
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