Body believed to be that of missing NSW fisherman found

A body believed to be that of a missing fisherman off the NSW Central Coast has been found.

The 22-year-old Jesse Howes was fishing off rocks at Snapper Point, south of Newcastle, early on Sunday morning when he slipped and fell into the water.

His friends threw life rings in the water but could not save him.

Police divers located the body beneath a rock shelf and brought it to the surface just after 10.30am today.

The family has been notified and the body will be forensically identified shortly.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.