Death of respected Brixham skipper – Fishupdate.com

CHRIS Boyce, a well-known and respected Brixham fishing skipper has died suddenly at the age of 61.

Mr Boyce spent most of his working life at sea. He started fishing as a boy working from Torquay, where he had been born. Later, he moved to Brixham and made it his home.

Jim Portus, the chief executive of the South Western Fish PO said:

“Chris was a highly successful beam trawler skipper who gained huge experience over a lifetime of fishing.

“Chris enjoyed the respect of his peers and was always in demand as a skipper. He was known for his awareness to safety aboard the vessels he skippered; he never took short cuts and was a careful fisherman. Many of the younger fishermen in Brixham gained their early experience under his tutelage and many fishermen owe much to the care he gave them as youngsters.

“Chris was influential in setting up the trans-national Mid-Channel Potting Conferences 25 years ago. He attended each spring as the Brixham representative, never missing a meeting. He recognised their value and was praised by all when, in 2007, he announced his retirement.

“The fact that yearly, an agreement has been reached with our continental partners owes much to the efforts of Chris. He was meticulous as the minute-taker for the Brixham representatives.

“When ashore, Chris was a larger-than-life character who enjoyed life to the full. He was married and devoted to Liz for 40 years. Their two sons, Peter and John, have both followed Chris into successful fishing careers.

“Chris will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him, he was a part of the fishing community of Brixham, which will be poorer without him.”

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