October 16, 2017 — MIAMI — Tourism has been the focus of a lot of attention — and $1 million in emergency advertising — in the Florida Keys since Hurricane Irma.
But the Keys have another major industry. The island chain makes up the most valuable commercial fishery in Florida — and ranks 10th in the nation, up there with ports in New England, Alaska and Louisiana.
At Keys Fisheries in Marathon, Gary Graves was getting ready for big crowds as the opening of stone crab season approached.
“People know stone crab season like football season,” he said. “Hey, Oct. 15th — it’s stone crab season.”
A few days before the season opened, Daniel Padron was working on stone crab traps at a marina on Stock Island.
“We’ve got some traps in the water, trying to get the last couple ready to go,” he said. “Been backed up because of Irma.”