Conch And Whelk Season Now Open

The Department of Environment (DoE) reminds the public that persons can legally fish for conchs and whelks from Tuesday, 1 November 2016 to Sunday, 30 April 2017.

Only queen conch (Strombus gigas) can be taken. The catch limit is either five conch per person or 10 per boat (with two or more people), whichever is fewer.

For whelks, 2.5 gallons in shells or 2.5 pounds of processed whelks per person are allowed each day. The Chiton, periwinkle and bleeding teeth species cannot be taken at any time.

'Now that the open seasons for conch and whelks have begun, it is important that persons in the community abide by the catch regulations', said DoE Senior Research Officer John Bothwell. 'Only responsible consumption of these species can ensure their existence for future generations'.