Shipowner And Portuguese Vice Consul?

[Sellergarth]

Whilst undertaking some local history research I came across the following entry in the 1871 census:
Joseph Fisher (27) Portuguese Vice Consul and Shipowner.
I can find no further reference to `Portuguese Vice Consul`or any reference to Portugal. Any ideas how this position would have come about and what would his duties have been?
Thanks.

[jno]

probably just appointed to offer services (usually personal or commercial) to Portuguese people in whatever town he lived in (I assume it was a port of some sort?). If you got into a spot of bother in some foreign town you might ask the British consul for help.

Nothing as grand as an ambassador, who would generally come from Portugal, live in London, and represent the interests of the Portuguese government to the UK government. Not even as grand as the Portuguese consul, who might also live in London. More likely just a local, probably paid a modest honorarium by Lisbon.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6753979_duties-consul_.html

[EDDIE51]

He would most likely have been an Honorary Consul rather than a full time diplomat
http://www.hunconsulate.com/faq/honorary-career-consul-difference.html

[Sellergarth]

Many thanks jno and EDDIE51 for taking the time to reply and answer my question.