The fishing community is reminded that the season for queen conch harvest opened on Tuesday, Nov. 1. The regulations on harvesting conch remain in effect, according to a press release issued Friday by the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
The existing quota is 50,000 lbs. per year for commercial harvesting, and after the quota is reached, the fishery will remain closed until Nov. 1 of the following year.
All conch must be landed alive and in the shell.
The limit is 200 conch per boat for licensed commercial fishermen. There is a limit of six conch per person for recreational fishermen and a total of 24 conch per boat.
Undersized conchs cannot be harvested. No conchs may be possessed that are less than nine inches in length from the spire to the distal end, or less than 3/8-inch lip thickness.
DPNR Commissioner Dawn L. Henry reminds fishers to report their landings monthly to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Conch season is closed from July 1 until Oct. 30 of every year.
