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I see Conch on the menus of several places in STT and STJ and would just like to know more about that.
Do you find conch shells all over the beaches there?
Are they mostly on land? Or in the water? I'm referring to the shells.
I've been to Turks & Caicos and there was this one island where the shore was covered with conch shells and they didn't even care if you took them as souvenirs because they were so plentiful.
What is the conch/conch shell situation in STT and STJ?
Thanks and happy Easter!
You won't find any conch shells on beaches here but can sometimes find them underwater while snorkeling. It's illegal to take them (or any shells/coral) off-island and for general rules about harvesting live conch you may find this link of interest:
http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/more_info/fishing/usvifishingregulations.php
You'll sometimes find local conch on the menu in harvesting season but the majority is frozen commercial - very good!
Conch has a season and one is only allowed to harvest so much.
No person is permitted to retain, remove, possess, or injure any conch that is less than nine inches in length from the spire to the distal end, or that has a lip thickness that is less than 3/8 inch. There is no sale of undersized conch shells or meat from undersized conch.
All conchs landed in the Regulatory Area or coastal waters must be alive and intact (in shell) when brought to island on which conch is first sold or consumed. Taking conch to off shore cays and islands for purpose of removing from shell is prohibited. No disposal of shell at sea before landing.
There are various Marine Reserves around the Virgin Islands in which fishing is prohibited, limited and/or require special permits. Contact the Division of Environmental Enforcement for an up-to-date list.
Conch season is open from October 1 to June. 30.
See: http://www.seestjohn.com/fishing.html
Conch
Minimum size 9" shell length from spire to distal end, or 3/8" lip thickness. Must land whole in shell.
Territorial Waters - 6 per day per fisher, not to exceed 24 per boat per day.
Federal Waters - 3 per day per fisher, not to exceed 12 per boat. No use of hookah gear.
National Park Waters - 2 per fisher per day.
Closed season July 1 - Sept 30.
I really enjoy the conch in butter sauce with fungi, plantains and sweet potato at Petite Pump Room upstairs in the building which houses the downtown ferry dock. Got to have a little island hot pepper sauce with it.
How could you eat this??
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Lol just kidding. I love conch but I know how overfished it is. I really do try to not eat it but once in a great while.
