Allan W. Stoner, Ph.D., Martha H. Davis, M.S., Catherine J. Booker, M.S.
Report produced by Community Conch for: Bahamas Department of Marine Resources, Bahamas National Trust
NTRODUCTION
Focus of study This queen conch stock assessment for Andros Island is part of the GEF-IWCAM Andros Island Resource Management Plan. Upon completion, this plan which integrates information and planning for both terrestrial and marine resources will be presented for adoption to the Bahamas Government. The goal of this assessment was to quantify queen conch resources in the eight principle conch fishing grounds specified in the 2007 Andros Island Conservation Assessment (CAP) (TNC, 2007). The study sites are described in Appendix 1 of the CAP in Conservation Target Descriptions for Conch and a key map of their locations is presented in Figure 1 of this report. The eight discrete areas were delineated on the basis of information provided to The Nature Conservancy by local fishers based upon the presence or former presence of conch spawning aggregations. All of the study areas are on the east and windward side of Andros Island inshore of its barrier reef.
The individual study areas are referred to in this report as follows:
1- Conch Sound
2- Mastic Bay
3- Stafford Creek
4- Young Sound
5- North Bight
6- Middle Bight
7- South Bight
8- Grassy Creek Cays