Some Florida stone crab fishermen take home less as fuel costs eat into a decent season

For local seafood businesses, pressure from rising fuel costs remains even after a promising opening to Florida's stone crab season. Fishermen cannot count on that start translating into better earnings.

Here's what to know

Larger crabs and somewhat higher production marked The Crab Plant's opening in Crystal River compared with the start of the previous season. Florida's stone crab season began on Oct. 15 with mixed results for local seafood businesses, WUFT reported.

Kelly Kofmehl, whose experience in the stone crab industry dates to 1988, offered a measured assessment.

"It's been decent," he said. "We've had better starts, but we've had way worse."

Higher operating costs confront fishermen even as the price of their catch can change day to day or week to week. Michelle "Shelly" Smith, a co-owner of the market Shelly's Seafood, attributed those price shifts to supply and demand.

"They make less," Smith said. "We try to pay as much as we can, but it can't be more than market price."

More background

Sales revenue had yet to arrive when The Crab Plant was already spending on preparations, according to WUFT. Crews spent the summer repairing traps, servicing equipment, and hauling boats out of the water for repairs.

Slower consumer spending has joined rising fuel costs as a concern at Aripeka Stone Crab Company, a retail and wholesale operation. Co-owner Karri Holliday characterized the opening as average.

This opening was somewhat slower than the typically productive start Holliday described. She attributed that usual early productivity to the crabs' summer rest.

During the season's second week, strong easterly winds kept boats around Smith's business from making trips for several days. Smith said it was still too early to tell how the rest of the season would unfold.

What's being done?

WUFT reported that The Crab Plant is focusing on greater operating efficiency, rather than price increases, to handle higher production expenses. The business has sought to hold customer prices at the previous year's levels.

"Everything we do is more expensive," Kofmehl said.

Higher expenses leave Shelly's Seafood Market with little financial cushion unless seafood prices rise enough to cover those costs.

For The Crab Plant, the arrival of seasonal visitors in winter will be especially important, as crabs tend to move more in turbulent weather conditions.

"For us, it's everything," Kofmehl said.

Where can I learn more?

Rising fuel costs are straining more than Florida's stone crab businesses. These stories cover Florida fuel and grocery prices, pressure on truck fleets, and Louisiana fishers' claims that dredging damaged their fishing grounds.

• South Florida truck fleets face near-record diesel prices, while a food bank's fuel bill reaches $121,000.

• Louisiana fishers sue Venture Global, alleging LNG dredging buried traps and muddied oysters.

• Florida's high grocery prices could climb further as record diesel costs add pressure.

• Florida gas prices drop 31 cents in a month but remain 40% higher year-over-year.

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