Tag Archives: family-owned commercial fishing business

Hurricane Ian Ravages Family Fishing Business Just Before Crab Season

Off the Hook Fishing Fleet has been in Michael McPhillips’ family for three generations, but Hurricane Ian has left the Fort Myers business in shambles. “Words can’t describe what happened here, McPhillips said. Though stone crab fishing runs in his blood, McPhillips says family-owned commercial fishing businesses are hard to come by. It’s why he tied down and braced for impact as Hurricane Ian barreled into Fort Myers. His mom Denise says she begged her son to stay home.  “This is our livelihood,” Michael McPhillips said. “This is all we got. Without this, you don’t have anything. That’s why I was trying to save the boats.” Denise McPhillips says they don’t have insurance. Video, >click to read< 14:00