Brixham honours lives lost at sea on National Fishing Remembrance Day

Remembrance services were held across Devon and Cornwall on Sunday to honour fishermen lost at sea, as part of the second National Fishing Remembrance Day.

At Brixham Fish Market, a large crowd gathered for a memorial service organised by the Fishermen’s Mission. The event was led by Helen Lovell-Smith, who oversees the charity’s work across the South West.

Civic Mayor of Torbay, Hannah Stephens, was among those in attendance. She said: “Today, I had the absolute honour of being invited to the National Fishermen’s Remembrance Service held at Brixham Fish Quay. The service, conducted by Helen Lovell-Smith from the South West Fishermen’s Mission, was attended by members of the public, fishing families, and my consort Ian, Mayoral Cadet Hamish Price, my family and local councillors.

“It was an emotional service with tears. Brixham is best known for its fish quay, and we should remember the fishermen and their families who pay the ultimate price to provide us with Brixham’s fish. The Fishermen’s Mission is one of my chosen charities, and it was a privilege to be there today.”

The Fishermen’s Mission supports both active and retired fishermen, including crew working in the UK aquaculture industry and migrant workers aboard UK vessels. It provides a 24-hour emergency response for any fishing vessel in UK waters, offering assistance during incidents involving injury, loss at sea, or other crises.

The charity was founded following the Black Friday tragedy in Eyemouth in 1881 and has since supported the fishing community through events such as both world wars and the triple trawler tragedy of 1968.

Sunday’s service in Brixham was also streamed live on Facebook, allowing people around the world to take part and pay their respects remotely.

Addressing the congregation, Ms Lovell-Smith said: “As I look around at many familiar faces, I know you are here to remember your loved ones — friends or family members who have been lost at sea. It is fitting that here, in our fishing community of Brixham and across Devon, where so many rely on the sea for their livelihood, people should gather in this way to share a mutual understanding of the loss they have experienced.”

Farming and fisheries minister Daniel Zeichner also addressed the congregation. He said: “Too many fishermen from these shores have lost their lives ensuring our vital food security.

“Loss of life while fishing, regrettably, remains far too common. Through commemorating this day officially, as we shall continue to do, we now ask the whole nation to recognise these losses to our coastal communities.

“It is our duty to never forget their contribution."

Following the service, floral tributes were taken out to sea by crews from Torbay and Exmouth RNLI lifeboats.