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Regulatory Amendments for Queen Conch Management in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

In June 2008, amendments were proposed for the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) regarding Queen Conch resources in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Key regulations include a 50,000 lb quota for both St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John, a closed season from June 1 to October 31, and prohibitions on commercial and recreational harvest in federal waters except for Lang Bank. With the aim of sustainable management, compatible regulations are being developed to ensure preservation while allowing limited harvest under defined conditions.

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Regulatory Amendments for Queen Conch Management in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

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  1. Regulatory Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

  2. Purpose and Need • June 2008 U.S.V.I. Regulations • 50,000 lb Quota in STX, 50,000 lb Quota in STT/STJ • Closed Season (June 1 – Oct 31) • St. Croix Quota Closure – May 1, 2009 • Federal Regulations • No quota • Lang Bank Open October 1 – June 30 (closed July 1 – Sept 30) • Compatible Regulations

  3. Background • Queen Conch FMP • Queen Conch Amendment 1 • Prohibit commercial and recreational harvest, possession of queen conch in federal waters of the U.S. Caribbean, with the exception of Lang Bank • Queen Conch Amendment 2 • Comprehensive ACL Amendment (Under Development)

  4. Queen Conch, Strombus gigas Photo courtesy of: NOAA Fisheries Service Protected Resources Division

  5. Lang Bank is defined as the area east of 64°34’W bound within the 100 fathom curve.

  6. Reported Landings

  7. Action 1: Compatible Regulations • Alternative 1: No Action. Do not establish compatible regulations with U.S. Virgin Islands • Alternative 2: Establish compatible closure regulations with U.S. Virgin Islands (Quota and Seasonal Closures – June 1 through October 31)

  8. Proposed Changes • Compatible Closure when Territorial Quota is Met • Whenever quota is met to November 1 • Closed Season: • July 1 through September 30  June 1 through October 31

  9. Questions? Photo courtesy of: Caribbean Fishery Management Council

  10. USVI Trip/Bag Limit • Commercial: 150 per person per day  200 per boat per day • Recreational: 3 per person per day (no more than 12 per boat)  6 per person per day (no more than 24 per boat)

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