SVG to implement protective measures for Queen Conch
The St Vincent government says it plans to enforce both a limited season and an open season for the harvesting of conch within its territorial waters.
The islands Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar made the disclosure on Tuesday, January 9th during the budget debate.
“In 2024, there will be a scheduled period of time during which conch harvesting will be prohibited, followed by a period of time during which conch harvesting will be allowed”.
“The conch is a matter of great concern for all citizens.”, Caesar said.
The Minister stated that it is imperative to safeguard the country’s resources so as to extract them in a manner that ensures their long-term viability.
U.S Federal officials are also considering whether to list the Caribbean species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, however, fishing communities in several countries are opposing the move, worried that such a listing could end their ability to export conch meat to the United States, their largest market.
The conch habitats are found on the transboundary Grenada bank, hence the fishery is based mainly in the Grenadine Island chain. Approximately 60% of conch are exported.
. The queen conch fishery is currently one of the most important
fisheries in the country, accounting for 62.7 per cent of total fisheries exports in 2020 and generating $3,329,937 (EC$8,990,832).
In terms of production and investment in production capacity, the queen conch industry of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has been the fastest growing of all the countries within the Eastern Caribbean over the past five years. In 2020, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was the second largest producer of queen conch in the OECS region, after Antigua and Barbuda.
The conch population in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been endangered for a significant period, with a more pronounced decline in recent years mostly due to its lucrative export market.
