Commercial stone crab fishing is off to a horrendous start this year, fishermen and fish house owners said.
"It has been a disastrous start," Key Fisheries owner Gary Graves said. "It is the highest prices on record. But the catch has been horrible. I am not very confident that this going to be a good year."
Last season was one of the worst on record.
Middle Keys commercial trap fishermen Gary Nichols has tried to stay optimistic.
"If it weren't for the price, the season would be horrible," Nichols said. "The price is just good enough to keep us going out after them. But if the catch drops anymore, we won't be going out."
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