UPDATED: Coastguard, volunteer boats and helicopters are being used to search for a missing Tauranga fisherman.

Emergency services were alerted just before 6.30pm last night, and a search and rescue operation was launched.

Police have been told the 60-year-old went out fishing yesterday morning and was due back at lunchtime.

Today, a number of boats are on the water searching for the man.

These include Coastguard and volunteer boats.

The search area is centred around Matakana Island, towards Waihi Beach.

A helicopter has been mobilised to conduct aerial checks of shorelines.

Other local boaties and pilots of light aircraft have also been asked to be alert for sightings of the missing aluminium boat.

If anyone has seen this boat or has any information, please contact the Tauranga Police immediately on (07) 577 4300 or simply call 111.

EARLIER:

The search for a missing fisherman in Tauranga is expected to continue this morning.

Police were alerted about 7pm, when the fisherman failed to return from his trip.

Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders says a 60-year-old local man went out fishing just after 7am and was expected back around noon, but didn't return.

'He was fishing in an aluminium three metre long homemade boat, with a centre console and an outboard motor.”

Tauranga Police started a search and rescue operation to find the missing man last night.

'The brother of the missing man spoke to three people at the Sulphur Point boat ramp at about 4.30pm and these people remember seeing a boat fitting the description, anchored to ‘A buoy' out at sea.

'Police are very keen to speak to these people who claimed to have seen this boat.”

If they or anyone else has seen this boat or has any information, please contact the Tauranga Police immediately on (07) 577 4300 or simply call 111.