Items belonging to missing fisherman found: Search turns to recovery operation

Korean man Myung Kang, 57, went missing on January 5. Photo / Supplied

Personal items belonging to a fisherman missing at Bethells Beach have been found washed up at O'Neills Bay.

Police have discovered clothing and a fishing bag which belongs to 57-year-old Myung Kang, who went missing on January 5.

Waitemata Detective Senior Sergeant Callum McNeill said the items were washed up on the shore of O'Neills Bay.

McNeill said this new evidence means the search will now turn to a recovery operation.

Search and Rescue teams, life guards and the police Eagle helicopter have been searching the wider area to find the Korean man since his family reported him missing on Sunday evening.

It is understood the man's son raised the alarm about 5pm after his father failed to return from a fishing trip.

"We have also had several people contact us reporting sightings of Mr Kang over the weekend, and based on this evidence, the indications are that he has gone into the water," McNeill said.

The land search for Kang has now been scaled back, but aerial searches over the coastal area with the Police helicopter will continue over the next few days.

"We want to thank everyone who has come forward with information and sightings of Mr Kang," McNeill said.

"As the public can appreciate, this is a very hard time for his family and we are doing all we can to help them and find him."

Police earlier said that Kang's car - a 2011 white Toyota Prius - was found at the Bethells Beach car park.

Police also appealed to members of the public who were at the beach over the weekend for any sightings of Kang.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waitemata Police on 09 839 0697.