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What Is Happening and When:
NOAA Fisheries reminds the public of the upcoming seasonal prohibition on commercial and recreational fishing for or possession of queen conch in federal waters east of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
- The closure starts on June 1, 2024, and applies to federal waters east of 64°34′ W longitude, which includes Lang Bank (see map below).
- Harvest of queen conch in the federal waters portion of Lang Bank reopens on November 1, 2024.
- The remaining federal waters (west of 64°34′ W) are closed year-round to all fishing for queen conch.
- Possession of queen conch in U.S. Virgin Islands jurisdictional waters (0-3 nautical miles) is also prohibited from June 1 through October 31.
Why This Closure Is Happening:
This seasonal closure protects queen conch when they are spawning (reproducing) and therefore more vulnerable to fishing pressure.
During the open season (November 1 – May 31), fishing for queen conch in U.S. Caribbean federal waters is only allowed in waters east of 64°34′ W longitude.
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, Florida 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.
Other contacts:
Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750
NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202
