Body of missing fisherman found

The body of a Timaru fisherman reported missing yesterday has been found. File photo / Thinkstock

Police searching for a fisherman missing off the Timaru coast overnight have found his body.

Pleasant Point man Peter Hunter, 58, was reported overdue about 11pm yesterday after his 11.5m steel-hulled fishing vessel failed to return from "the rocks'', about 12 nautical miles out at sea from the Makikihi River mouth.

His body was found about 11am today.

Mr Hunter had been the sole occupant of the fishing boat the Journeyman.

Inquiries to determine the identity of the body were continuing.

Search and rescue teams still have not located the boat or a life raft on board.

Debris thought to have come off the Journeyman was spotted off the coast of Timaru this morning.

Coastguard searchers and volunteers, police and a fixed-wing aircraft are continuing to search for the vessel.