Dwayne Meadows, Ph.D. Science, Service, Stewardship NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE Status of Conch Fisheries and National Summary for the United States of America

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE Queen conch occurs in Florida, Virgin Islands, Puerto RicoQueen conch occurs in Florida, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico Species is considered overfished and undergoing overfishing by NOAA/CFMCSpecies is considered overfished and undergoing overfishing by NOAA/CFMC Fishing is not allowed in most areas as population reboundsFishing is not allowed in most areas as population rebounds  Year 7 of 15 year rebuilding plan Small area of USVI EEZ where fishing allowedSmall area of USVI EEZ where fishing allowed The Fishing Industry

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE The US Caribbean fisheries are multi gear and speciesThe US Caribbean fisheries are multi gear and species Use same type of vessels as for other finfish and lobsterUse same type of vessels as for other finfish and lobster Puerto Rico survey (2008): 300 conch fishers, amPuerto Rico survey (2008): 300 conch fishers, am USVI (2004): 100 conch fishers, amUSVI (2004): 100 conch fishers, am There have been no recent assessments of diving accidentsThere have been no recent assessments of diving accidents The Fishing Industry

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE Petitioned by environmental NGO February 2012Petitioned by environmental NGO February 2012 NOAA Fisheries must evaluate information in petition to determine if listing MAY be warrantedNOAA Fisheries must evaluate information in petition to determine if listing MAY be warranted 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 experts, including this workshop Policy and Legislation Endangered Species Act

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE Review of Status of SpeciesReview of Status of Species  Report must use best available science and commercial data 12 month determination due 27 February month determination due 27 February 2013 Science only!Science only! Possible decisions: Listing not warranted, or PROPOSE listingPossible decisions: Listing not warranted, or PROPOSE listing A proposed listing triggers second round of public comment with final listing (or not) due by February 2014A proposed listing triggers second round of public comment with final listing (or not) due by February 2014 Endangered Species Act Next Steps

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE No fishing or possession in/from Caribbean EEZ east of 64°34' W, which includes Lang Bank east of St. Croix, USVI, except during November 1 through May 31.No fishing or possession in/from Caribbean EEZ east of 64°34' W, which includes Lang Bank east of St. Croix, USVI, except during November 1 through May 31. Caribbean EEZ ACL= 0. However, in the St. Croix management area the ACL is 50,000 lbs (22,680 kg), St. Thomas/St. John also has 50,000 ACL in territory waters.Caribbean EEZ ACL= 0. However, in the St. Croix management area the ACL is 50,000 lbs (22,680 kg), St. Thomas/St. John also has 50,000 ACL in territory waters. The bag limit in or from the Caribbean EEZ is 3/person or, if more than 4 persons are aboard, 12 per boat non- commercial. 150/person/day commercial.The bag limit in or from the Caribbean EEZ is 3/person or, if more than 4 persons are aboard, 12 per boat non- commercial. 150/person/day commercial. Size limit: possession of conch less than 9 inches TL or < 3/8 inch lip thickness is PROHIBITED.Size limit: possession of conch less than 9 inches TL 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 Conservation Activities

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE U.S. is a major importerU.S. is a major importer Consumption and Trade Turks & Caicos 21.1%Turks & Caicos 21.1% Jamaica 20.5%Jamaica 20.5% Dominican Republic 16.6%Dominican Republic 16.6% Honduras 15.8%Honduras 15.8% Nicaragua 4.9%Nicaragua 4.9% Bahamas 4.7%Bahamas 4.7% Belize 3.2%Belize 3.2% Brazil 3.2%Brazil 3.2% REST 9.9%REST 9.9%

Import by Country (kg)

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE 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 Trade

NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE Catch statistics are collected in both Puerto Rico and the USVI through a trip ticket system.Catch statistics are collected in both Puerto Rico and 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 needs  Recommended data update meeting in 3 years SEAMAP-Caribbean collects fishery-independent dataSEAMAP-Caribbean collects fishery-independent data every 3-5 years in west PR and USVI every 3-5 years in west PR and USVI PR has recent mesophotic studyPR 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 Systems

Thanks! Report co-authors: L. Cimo, N. Daves, and G. Garcia-Moliner