Police find body believed to be farmer Mark Adams who went missing while fishing off Albany

Police have found a body, believed to be of Great Southern farmer Mark Adams, who went missing during a fishing trip off Albany last week.

The 62-year-old was reported missing on the night of December 2, when he failed to return home from a solo fishing trip.

A desperate search to find Mark Adams was launched immediately, with his 8m catamaran found adrift near Michaelmas Island — more than 10km off the coast of Albany — later that night with no one onboard.

Police suspended the search after three days but they continued watching the coastline and patrolling local beaches on foot.

A body, believed to be of Mr Adams, was found on Thursday.

“Formal identification is yet to be completed but it is believed to be 62-year-old man, Mark Adams who went missing in the area earlier this week,” a WA Police spokesperson said.

“His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”

After the search was suspended on December 4, Mr Adams’ distraught family provided a heartfelt tribute to the much-loved grandad.

“Our much-loved husband, father and grandfather, Mark Adams went fishing on Tuesday afternoon and did not return as expected,” the family statement said.

“Given the time that has passed and the circumstances, our family is now facing the heartbreaking reality that Mark has tragically died at sea. We are devastated by this loss.

“Mark was a cherished and irreplaceable part of our family, and a passionate and progressive farmer who contributed greatly to the farming community.

“He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We sincerely thank everyone involved in the search for their tireless efforts, care and compassion.

“We are also incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support shown to our family during this difficult time.”

Mr Adams and his wife Heather ran a mixed farming enterprise Yaralla Farms, in Woongenellup, across thousands of hectares.

He had been grain farming for about four decades in the Great Southern on the southern edge of the Stirling Range National Park.