Gary Roberts' body was found in front of the fish market on Friday last week after disappearing on his birthday nearly a month ago.
The 53-year-old, from Heamoor, had returned from the sea on March 12 to celebrate at the Swordfish pub.
Police say he had left the premises at around midnight to take a taxi home but it is believed that he had decided to head to the harbour.
Alarms were raised after he failed to pick his money up following his last fishing trip on the Britannia IV.
He was found on Friday morning, April 9, by a member of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen in Newlyn.
RNLI lifeboat coxswain Patch Harvey, who helped to recover the body, said he was shocked to find Gary. He said: "His shoulders were visible and as we got closer I knew it was him because I recognised his shirt. He always wore a Cornwall rugby shirt, jeans and boots.
"It wasn't very nice, especially when it is somebody you know. He used to fish on different boats and I saw him around a lot. It's a shame because when he was missing there was still hope that he was alive. At the same time it is a relief for the family and people who were close to him that his disappearance didn't remain a mystery.
"He was a reliable and quiet chap who was never late."
The landlord of the Swordfish has described Mr Roberts as a "diamond". He added: "He was always okay, never any trouble. He was a good lad, good as gold and I had many laughs with him."
Police are not treating his death as suspicious and his next of kin have been informed.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN