Police have found a body believed to be that of a spearfisher who went missing off the New South Wales Mid North Coast.

Officers searching for Newcastle-based man Yong Li found the body at about 11:30am, approximately 150 metres off Skeleton Rock, where the 32-year-old was seen entering the water on Wednesday.

Ryan Baker, the owner of Newcastle shop Spear and Fish Downunder, had crossed paths with Mr Li and said the tight-knit diving community was shaken by the news.

"It's tragic news … I'm a bit speechless," Mr Baker said.

"It really hits home — a lot of us have had close calls and stuff go wrong in the water.

"The ocean is really unpredictable and stuff does happen.

" I can only imagine how his family and friends and everyone are feeling right now. "

Mr Baker said Mr Li was an e

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