A man has died while spearfishing on a wreck north of Darwin harbour this morning.

NT Marine and Fisheries Unit received a report around 10am that a man had failed to surface after diving on the wreck of The Marchant 111 approximately 35 kilometres from Darwin Harbour.

An air and sea search was launched and members of the Territory Response Section were sent to assist Members of the Marine and Fisheries Unit in the search. Two off-duty police members who were also diving at the wreck assisted in the search as did the Customs vessel Hold Fast Bay and a Careflight helicopter.

Police divers located the body of the 31-year-old man just after 1.30pm today. The body was recovered and taken back to Cullen Bay.

No further detail are available at this stage and police investigations into the man's death are continuing.

Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8951 8825
0419 803 603