ST. THOMAS – The annual queen conch season ends next month, according to Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner designee Dawn Henry.
Harvesting of queen conch is prohibited from June 1 to October 31, Henry said. Possession of queen conch is prohibited from June 15 to October 31.
Seasonal harvest closures conserve fished populations and help sustain and improve the fisheries of the Virgin Islands for the future, she said.
The conch season will reopen on November 1 and will remain open until midnight May 31, 2016, or until the 50,000 lb. quota per district is reached, whichever comes first, according to the DPRN commissioner designee.
Henry added that the harvest and possession of mutton and lane snapper are prohibited territory-wide from April 1 to June 30.
DPNR said fishermen should note that fishing for red grouper, black grouper, tiger grouper, yellowfin grouper, and yellowedge grouper re-opened on May 1.
Henry asked “for everyone’s cooperation to protect Virgin Islands resources for the present and future benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands.”
For more information about queen conch or other fishing regulations, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 773-1082 in St. Croix and 775-6762 in St. Thomas.
Feature Image: A Grenadian fisherman in a boat full of his catch, conch
Image Credit: Amy Cotler
Tags: conch fishing us virgin islands
Share On Facebook
Tweet It
