Great white shark 'jumps' aboard fisherman's boat

A fisherman managed to survive a run-in with a great white shark after it reportedly jumped into his boat on the New South Wales north coast.

The ABC reports Terry Selwood, 73, was fishing offshore at Evans Head when the shark launched itself into his boat.

“I caught a blur of something coming over the boat… and the pectoral fin hit me on the forearm and knocked me down on the ground to my hands and knees,” he said.

“He came right over the top of the motor and then dropped onto the floor.

"I've had 'em come up and brush the side of my boat, I've had a white pointer swim around my boat, I've had 'em take fish off my line, but I've never had one do this.”

He believed the shark was 2.7 metres long and weighed about 200 kilograms.

It made for a tight squeeze for the pair with the boat 1.4m wide and 4.5m long.

Mr Selwood called marine rescue volunteers at Evans Head with the crew rescuing him and returning for the shark and the boat.

The Department of Primary Industries later reportedly identified the shark as a great white.

He said the incident wouldn’t stop him from fishing.

“It won’t deter me from fishing, no way in the world,” he said.

"I think next time I might find a crocodile to wrestle, just to stay in the limelight.”