Body of missing Tauranga fisherman believed to be found

People at the Sulphur Point boat ramp recall seeing the boat, the man's brother said. Photo / Supplied

The body of a missing Tauranga fisherman is believed to have been found.

The body was located by Coastguard after 12.20pm this afternoon.

Police were searching for the 60-year-old Tauranga man after he went out in his boat at 7am yesterday and never returned.

Other items from the boat were found, but not the boat itself.

Western Bay of Plenty Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders said Tauranga police were advised the local man was missing around 7pm yesterday.

He was fishing in an aluminium 3m long homemade boat, with a centre console and an outboard motor. He was expected back around noon.

The Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched at 7am today and helped police and Coastguard in the search.

The man's brother spoke to three people at the Sulphur Point boat ramp at about 4.30pm yesterday afternoon and they remember seeing a boat fitting the description, anchored to a buoy out at sea.

Police thanked the Coastguard and extended their sympathy to the man's family and friends.