April 21, 2020 — Kit Mobley’s phone starting ringing in mid-March. That’s not unusual for a charter boat captain based in the Florida Keys, especially with peak fishing season approaching. But these calls were different.
The novel coronavirus pandemic forced most captains in the country’s unofficial fishing capital to dock their boats indefinitely. Tourists disappeared, and business dried up. But unlike in many other industries, fishing boat captains say government relief probably won’t make them whole, and many fear a lost fishing season will sink their small, tourist-dependent businesses.
“Right now we’re just hoping this blows over as quickly as possible,” said Mobley, who hasn’t had a client since March 20 — after taking 45 trips in the previous month. “This time of year is when we make our money.”