Commercial crab stone fishermen of Florida Keys are having good times as the winter season boost the stone crab fishing. This year the weather has helped stone crab fishermen — already having a banner lobster season — find their mojo after a dismal season last year. Conch Key-based fisherman Gary Nichols said that they had a few 40-knot blows come through and that scattered the traps out there.
He also informed that this chilly weather brought in a good number of crabs. In December 2010, Key West recorded the coldest average temperature since 1872, when records first were kept. National Weather Service meteorologist Bill South said that they are looking at setting records for the coldest December on average for every weather station south of Gainesville.
Stock Island Lobster Co. owner Peter Bacle told that the multiple cold weather days and a strong holiday retail market for stone crabs has resulted in a good season for the fishermen, particularly in light of an exceptionally strong lobster season. He also said that the fishermen have been going really hard this season, with good prices and production.
A better assessment of the stone crab season can be found among fishermen in the Middle Keys, which has historically proven to be fertile and consistent crab grounds, Bacle said.
