Stone Crab Fleet Blessed Ahead of Challenging Season

Over a dozen boats slip down the Barron River once again, mooring to the dock beside Camellia Street Grill as throngs of residents look on. The stone crab season is about to begin, and once again, the captains arrive to receive their blessing.

The tradition began 17 years ago and is maintained by the Florida Stone Crabbers Association, where local fishermen bring their ships to be blessed by local pastors for good fortune in the coming season.

Kelly Kirk, the co-director and spokesperson for FLSCA, said that they were hoping for that good fortune, as this year the fishers are dealing with several major challenges to the industry, namely the rising diesel fuel prices due to the ongoing Iran War. She said that, for many families in the area who must make significant buy-in before they can earn income from crabbing, shifting prices impede an industry where margins are already slim and could result in higher market prices.

“This year we’re looking at really high fuel prices, which is probably going to be one of our biggest detriments, and it’s weighing heavily on everyone’s heart,” said Kirk. “They’re all diesel boats, so diesel prices are extremely high right now. We’re hoping that that will come down. Otherwise, like everything else, we’re going to see it in the end-all cost.”

Despite concerns looming over the industry, the atmosphere at the blessing was festive, with multiple vendors from local artists and businesses, along with free mullet, pulled pork, and more.

Pastor Jesse Wilson and Craig Daniels, pastor and associate pastor of Chokoloskee Family Church, presided over the blessing alongside Pastor Gary Haug from Everglades Community Church. Haug, who took over the role in August last year after the passing of longtime pastor Dr. Bob Wallace, led the opening prayer as part of his first fleet blessing.

He told a story from Luke 5, where Jesus encourages his disciples to go back out fishing after a poor harvest, and they are rewarded for their faith. He related that to the difficulties stone crab fishers face; despite their struggles, they keep returning to the sea, hoping to secure a bountiful yield.

“They got blessed big time. That’s what we’re going to do here today. We are going to bless these crabbers and all of their fleets here … that’s the power of the Lord that we’re hoping for, for these guys and for their families and for the economy, the local economy, all that, that God would bless the fishers for their willingness to say, okay, we’ll come. We’ll be blessed, and then we’ll go out,” Haug said.

Haug and Daniels then went from boat to boat, stepping aboard alongside the crew and their families to join them in a quick prayer, moving down the entire dockside.

Kirk said she was happy with the turnout, which brought in many new and returning faces. Events like the blessing, she said, were key to raising continued awareness of the stone crab fishing industry, which remains a lifeline for many in the Everglades City community. Both the blessing and the Everglades City Seafood Festival, hosted by FLSCA in February, remain among the most significant events for raising awareness in the community at large.

This year, the blessing has continued to grow, having officially partnered with Collier County Domestic Animal Services to encourage the support and adoption of animals around the county.