Dwayne Meadows, Ph.D.Dwayne.Meadows@noaa.gov

Science, Service, Stewardship

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

Status of Conch Fisheries and Status of Conch Fisheries and National Summary for the United National Summary for the United

StatesStatesof Americaof America

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

• Queen conch occurs in Florida, Virgin Queen conch occurs in Florida, Virgin Islands, Puerto RicoIslands, Puerto Rico

• Species is considered overfished and Species is considered overfished and undergoing overfishing by NOAA/CFMCundergoing overfishing by NOAA/CFMC

• Fishing is not allowed in most areas as Fishing is not allowed in most areas as population reboundspopulation reboundsYear 7 of 15 year rebuilding planYear 7 of 15 year rebuilding plan

• Small area of USVI EEZ Small area of USVI EEZ where fishing allowed where fishing allowed

The Fishing IndustryThe Fishing Industry

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

• The US Caribbean fisheries are multi The US Caribbean fisheries are multi gear and species gear and species

• Use same type of vessels as for other Use same type of vessels as for other finfish and lobsterfinfish and lobster

• Puerto Rico survey (2008): Puerto Rico survey (2008): 300 conch 300 conch fishers, amfishers, am

• USVI (2004): 100 conch fishers, amUSVI (2004): 100 conch fishers, am• There have been no There have been no

recent assessments recent assessments of diving accidents of diving accidents

The Fishing IndustryThe Fishing Industry

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

• Petitioned by environmental NGO February Petitioned by environmental NGO February 20122012

• NOAA Fisheries must evaluate information in NOAA Fisheries must evaluate information in petition to determine if listing MAY be petition to determine if listing MAY be warrantedwarranted

• This finding made on 27 August (77 FR 51763)This finding made on 27 August (77 FR 51763)• Now soliciting information for status review: Now soliciting information for status review:

from public (online through 26 October)from public (online through 26 October)from experts, including this workshopfrom experts, including this workshop

Policy and LegislationPolicy and LegislationEndangered Species ActEndangered Species Act

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

• Review of Status of SpeciesReview of Status of SpeciesReport must use best available science and Report must use best available science and

commercial datacommercial data

• 12 month determination due 27 12 month determination due 27 February 2013February 2013• Science only!Science only!• Possible decisions: Listing not warranted, or Possible decisions: Listing not warranted, or

PROPOSE listingPROPOSE listing

• A proposed listing triggers second round A proposed listing triggers second round of public comment with final listing (or of public comment with final listing (or not) due by February 2014not) due by February 2014

Endangered Species ActEndangered Species ActNext StepsNext Steps

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

• No fishing or possession in/from Caribbean EEZ east No fishing or possession in/from Caribbean EEZ east of 64°34' W, which includes Lang Bank east of St. of 64°34' W, which includes Lang Bank east of St. Croix, USVI, except during November 1 through May Croix, USVI, except during November 1 through May 31.31.

• Caribbean EEZ ACL= 0. However, in the St. Croix Caribbean EEZ ACL= 0. However, in the St. Croix management area the ACL is 50,000 lbs (22,680 kg), management area the ACL is 50,000 lbs (22,680 kg), St. Thomas/St. John also has 50,000 ACL in territory St. Thomas/St. John also has 50,000 ACL in territory waters.waters.

• The bag limit in or from the Caribbean EEZ is 3/person The bag limit in or from the Caribbean EEZ is 3/person or, if more than 4 persons are aboard, 12 per boat or, if more than 4 persons are aboard, 12 per boat non-commercial. 150/person/day commercial.non-commercial. 150/person/day commercial.

• Size limit: possession of conch less than 9 inches TL Size limit: possession of conch less than 9 inches TL or < 3/8 inch lip thickness is PROHIBITED. or < 3/8 inch lip thickness is PROHIBITED.

• Complete ban in Florida watersComplete ban in Florida waters• PR avg. 60 – 70 t/yrPR avg. 60 – 70 t/yr

Fisheries Management and Fisheries Management and Conservation ActivitiesConservation Activities

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

• U.S. is a major U.S. is a major importerimporter

Consumption and TradeConsumption and Trade

• Turks & Caicos Turks & Caicos 21.1%21.1%

• Jamaica Jamaica 20.5%20.5%

• Dominican Republic Dominican Republic 16.6%16.6%

• Honduras Honduras 15.8%15.8%

• Nicaragua Nicaragua 4.9%4.9%

• Bahamas Bahamas 4.7%4.7%

• Belize Belize 3.2%3.2%

• Brazil Brazil 3.2%3.2%

• REST REST 9.9%9.9%

Import by Country (kg)

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

• U.S. is not an exporterU.S. is not an exporter• U.S. is a minor re-exporterU.S. is a minor re-exporter

Consumption and TradeConsumption and Trade

NOAAFISHERIESSERVICE

• Catch statistics are collected in both Puerto Rico and Catch statistics are collected in both Puerto Rico and the USVI through a trip ticket system. the USVI through a trip ticket system.

• Last U.S. stock assessment in 2007Last U.S. stock assessment in 2007 recommended new information and data needsrecommended new information and data needsRecommended data update meeting in 3 years Recommended data update meeting in 3 years

•• SEAMAP-Caribbean collects fishery-independent SEAMAP-Caribbean collects fishery-independent datadata

every 3-5 years in west PR and USVIevery 3-5 years in west PR and USVI• PR has recent mesophotic study PR has recent mesophotic study • USVI assessment in 2010USVI assessment in 2010

• Increase at St. Thomas/JohnIncrease at St. Thomas/John• No change at St. CroixNo change at St. Croix

Data Collection SystemsData Collection Systems

Thanks!Report co-authors:

L. Cimo, N. Daves, and G. Garcia-Moliner