Emergency workers have scaled down the search for a missing Canberra fisherman who is believed to have drowned after being swept off rocks on the far south coast yesterday.
The 57-year-old man was fishing about 300m west of Haycock Point near Eden about 8.30am yesterday. He wasn't reported missing until 2.30pm, when a fellow fisherman noticed his fishing gear had been left on the rocks unattended.
NSW Police say they had not located the man by 1pm today, and local lifesavers say the man is now "presumed drowned".
The Eden Magnet has reported that the man's family were watching on as police, marine rescue, State Emergency Service, lifesavers and the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter scoured the waters around Haycock Point today. NSW Police have not yet released the man's name.
Large swells had hampered yesterday's search efforts, and Surf Life Saving Duty Officer Andrew Edmunds said today's conditions had again been challenging.
"There was a large 2 metre swell, and a strong wind, but visibility was pretty good on the ocean," Mr Edmunds said.
"Unfortunately nothing was found," he said.
Police divers are expected to arrive from Sydney later this week to try and recover the man's body.
The man was believed to be fishing on his own and without a lifejacket.
Officers found his vehicle parked in a nearby carpark.
The State Emergency Service were also combing the cliff tops in search of the man today.
The incident would represent the 8th fatality on the far south coast this surf lifesaving season, which started in September.
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