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Seasonal Prohibition on Fishing for or Possession of Queen Conch in Federal Waters off St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

May 23, 2019

FB19-028: Caribbean Fishery Bulletin; For more information, contact: Sarah Stephenson, 727-824-5305, sarah.stephenson@noaa.gov

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WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN:

NOAA Fisheries reminds the public of the upcoming seasonal prohibition on fishing for or possession on board a fishing vessel of queen conch. 

  • This annually recurring prohibition will take effect at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1, 2019
  • The queen conch harvest season will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 1, 2019.
  • The closure applies in federal waters east of 64°34′ W longitude, including that portion of the Lang Bank area falling within those federal waters (see map below).
  • Possession of queen conch in U.S. Virgin Island jurisdictional waters (0 - 3 nautical miles) is prohibited June 1 through October 31.
  • Possession of queen conch in Puerto Rico jurisdictional waters (0 - 9 nautical miles) is prohibited August 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.  Remaining federal waters are closed year-round to all fishing for queen conch.

 

Figure 1 Queen conch closure area

 


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

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Other contacts:

Media: Kim Amendola, 727-551-5707

Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750 

Last updated by Southeast Regional Office on May 23, 2019