Charting a new course

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Fannon hopes this shrimping boat leads to a profitable business.

Since gill nets were banned in the mid-'90s in Florida, many commerical fishing families in Cortez were left with few career choices.

Some tried stone crabbing; others gave up on the industry altogether. Fourth-generation Cortez commercial fisherman Kathe Fannon said last year's red tide outbreak, combined with the gill net ban, made it difficult to make a living catching bait fish

"The net ban had a big toll on everybody's life here in Cortez," said Fannon. "You know, people here in Cortez, we look for something to do on the water."

Fannon recently bought a shrimping boat from someone retiring from the business and plans to open a bait shop to keep her dreams afloat. She says she's optimistic her new business venture will be successful.

In addition to shrimping, Fannon is also a charter captain for Captain Kim's Charters in Cortez.

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