April 24, 2025 — In Conch Key, Kelly Cordova’s crews are getting traps ready for lobster season.
She’s been on the water her whole life.
“This is our family’s business,” said Cordova. “My mom and dad started when they were 15.”
But even as the Trump administration softens its tone on China tariffs, there’s still uncertainty over the possibility of reciprocal tariffs tacked on to the live lobster they export.
“We don’t know what we’re going to do. It’s really, really scary right now,” said Cordova.
Spiny lobster is a multi-million dollar industry in Florida and the Florida Keys are the biggest producer, harvesting nearly 4 million pounds last season.