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

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

3. St. Croix Quota Closure – May 1, 2009 Federal Regulations
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
St. Croix Quota Closure – May 1, 2009
Federal Regulations
Lang Bank Open October 1 – June 30
Compatible Regulations
In order to eliminate overfishing of queen conch, the U.S.V.I. established a quota for queen conch harvest in June Separate quotas were enacted for St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John.
The St. Croix queen conch quota for the 2008/2009 fishing year was reached on May 1, 2009, therefore the queen conch fishery was closed until the end of the fishing year (November 1). Federal regulations for Lang Bank allow for an overlap with the U.S.V.I. open season but Lang Bank currently remains open when territorial waters close due to the quota being met. On April 21, 2009, the U.S.V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources asked the Council to implement compatible regulations with the U.S.V.I. territorial quota closure.

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

5. 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)

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