Sharks circle missing, naked fisherman

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Three missing fisherman have been dramatically rescued off the coast of Western Australia, after one of them was found by a Seven Network news helicopter being circled by sharks.

In a live cross to Fairfax radio in Perth today, reporter Grant Taylor described finding the naked man treading water off the coast of Leeman, 270 kilometres north of Perth.

Taylor said an inflatable rescue raft was dropped to the man but had drifted more than 100 metres away from him.

The man did not appear to have the strength to swim to it, despite desperate efforts by the helicopter crew to direct him to the raft.

As the helicopter circled overhead, Taylor reported a search and rescue vessel was racing towards the man, who had a lifejacket and did not appear to be aware of sharks in the vicinity.

The man was rescued and it was later reported another man had been found in the area. Reports of the third man being found have not been verified.

The men left Leeman about 11am yesterday and failed to return from a fishing trip.

Search and rescue aircraft and boats had been searching for the men, believed to be brothers aged 22 and 23, and their uncle, 49, since last night.

- AAP