Search for missing fisherman suspended

The search for a fisherman presumed drowned in the Southern Ocean was suspended yesterday after a 17-hour search operation.

Maritime New Zealand spokesman Steve Corbett said the alarm was raised about 8.30pm on Sunday after the 40-year-old crew member fell overboard from his Korean squid boat about 130km west of Stewart Island near Solander Island, the Southland Times reported today.

Aerial searches and searches conducted by seven ships failed to find any trace of the man, Mr Corbett said.

The boat's shipping agent had been notified and the Korean Embassy had been advised through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he said.

- NZPA