April 1, 2016 — A slump in the Asian economy dented last season’s record-high prices for Florida Keys spiny lobster, but a solid harvest satisfied commercial fishermen.
The 2015-16 lobster season closes Friday, with state fishery researchers expecting a commercial harvest of nearly 6 million pounds when the last crustacean is counted.
“Production was up, a lot better than last year,” Key West commercial fisherman Jason Yarbrough said Tuesday.
“But when you’re getting $3 a pound less than last season, that does make a substantial difference,” Yarbrough said.