Key Message:
NOAA Fisheries is in the early stages of developing a recovery plan for queen conch, which was recently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. To gather stakeholder input on recovering the species, NOAA Fisheries will host a series of workshops throughout the Caribbean, including in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida. These workshops will be in-person and open to the public.
Background
On February 14, 2024, NOAA Fisheries listed the queen conch as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (89 FR 11208). NOAA Fisheries is developing a recovery plan for queen conch and is seeking stakeholder input. A recovery plan serves as a road map for species recovery—the plan outlines the path and tasks required to restore and secure self-sustaining wild populations. It is a non-regulatory document that describes, justifies, and schedules the research and management actions necessary to support recovery of a species.
An integral part of the recovery plan will include engaging fishers, managers, and other stakeholders in identifying criteria, actions, and strategies to support the recovery of the species.
Puerto Rico Workshop Dates, Location, and Time
The first of the series of workshops will be held in Puerto Rico at two locations to encourage stakeholder participation:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
3:00pm – 7:00pm
Centro Comunal Benito Ubiles
Calle La Picúa, Punta Santiago
Humacao, PR
Thursday, May 9, 2024
2:00pm – 6:00pm
Biblioteca Municipal Blanca E. Colberg Rodríguez
Calle José de Diego, Cabo Rojo, PR
For more information on queen conch, please visit: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/queen-conch/protected
Florida and USVI Workshop Dates, Location and Time
The dates, location and time for the Florida and U.S. Virgin Island workshops will be announced in the near future. Flyers providing workshop information will be distributed locally and online.
Questions?
Contact Orian Tzadik, at Orian.Tzadik@noaa.gov, (813) 906-0353
Sign Up for Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures
NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS) Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.
Text alerts you may receive include:
- Immediate fishery openings and closures
- Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly
Sign up for one or more of the following groups:
- Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
- Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text CARIBFISH to 888777
Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application The mailbox will be checked daily For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.
Media Contact: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202
