Friday, December 04, 2009 

Mr Sharif's family is being kept informed by Dorset Police.

Dorset and Hampshire Police attempted a recovery on Thursday at Christchurch Bay in the Barton on Sea area, but they were hampered by poor conditions.

Mr Sharif, originally from Somalia, was last heard from on Tuesday afternoon, when he called his girlfriend.

Dorset Police said the as yet unidentified body was still in the sea.

The recovery operation is likely to be a "lengthy process" due to conditions and the lack of good access to the site, police said. 

A spokesman for Dorset Police added: "Family members of the missing angler Osman Sharif are aware and are in constant touch with Dorset Police's family liaison officer.

"The body is still in the sea and further attempts to recover the body will be made later today by Hampshire Police and the coastguard."

Portland Coastguard feared Mr Sharif had fallen overboard and a search operation was called off on Wednesday.