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Fishermen In Keys Call Spiny Lobster Catch 'Disaster'

The Associated Press

Fishermen say several tropical storms that brushed past the Keys chased away the lobsters

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The Associated Press

Published: March 31, 2009

KEY WEST - Commercial lobster fishermen in the Florida Keys say a "disastrous" spiny lobster harvesting season has come to an end.

Florida spiny lobsters brought around $8 a pound early in the season that began Aug. 6.

The season ends Tuesday. Fishermen say prices have fallen to $3.75 a pound. At the end of the 2007-2008 season, prices remained around $8 a pound for the seafood delicacy.

Fishermen say several tropical storms that brushed past the Keys chased away the lobsters. The low market prices make it harder to cover crew and fuel costs, which can total $500 a day.

Lobster experts are still totaling this season's catch. Monroe County fishermen caught 3.7 million pounds of spiny lobsters last season, down 1 million pounds from the previous harvest.

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