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. In an effort 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 now 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.
Workshops were held on the east coast and west coast of Puerto Rico on May 7th and May 9th, respectively.
Workshop Dates, Location, and Time:
The dates, locations, and times for the Florida and U.S. Virgin Island workshops are:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
1:00pm – 5:00pm
Broward County Main Library Auditorium
100 S Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Thursday, May 30, 2024
2:00pm – 6:00pm
The Buccaneer Hotel
The Brass Parrot
St. Croix, USVI
Flyers providing workshop information will be distributed locally and online. For more information on queen conch, please visit: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/queen-conch/protected
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
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- South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
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- Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text CARIBFISH to 888777
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.
Media Contact: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202
