Community Conch in the News!

Over the last few years Community Conch’s research has seen a surge in public attention, thanks in part to the Shedd Aquarium’s recent conch initiatives. Below is a list of articles that mention us and our results.

https://thenassauguardian.com/2019/01/17/breef-concerned-about-viability-of-conch-population/

https://thenassauguardian.com/2019/01/09/study-conch-fishery-could-disappear-in-15-years

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/01/conch-decline-overfishing-the-bahamas

https://ewnews.com/over-4-mil-in-conch-exported-from-the-bahamas

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article224130335.html

Recently Martha Davis was interviewed by HowStuffWorks for their entry on conch:

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/endangered-species/conch.html

Community Conch uses Facebook to post updates and commentary on topics and issues related to conch conservation. You can see our latest posts here:

 

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2 years ago
Community Conch

𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀

On March 30, Mr. Ian Mabon wrote a well-informed history on conch research in The Bahamas to Minister Clay Sweeting. As an update, Community Conch can add that conch exports in 2021 (newest gov’t figures available) were about 235,000 lbs. and declining. Graph below is based on official government landings and export data (Community Conch, 2023).

Officials at the Dept. of Marine Resources (DMR) has said that export of conch was stopped on a voluntary basis in Jan 2022. That means it is not illegal to export conch. The end of export is part of the draft Fisheries Regulations and will not be illegal until it passes through that process. In his response to Mr. Mabon, Minister Sweeting could update the public on the schedule for finalization of the draft Fisheries Regulations.

thenassauguardian.com/an-open-letter-to-minister-of-agriculture-and-marine-resources-clay-sweeting/
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𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀

On March 30, Mr. Ian Mabon wrote a well-informed history on conch research in The Bahamas to Minister Clay Sweeting.  As an update, Community Conch can add that conch exports in 2021 (newest gov’t figures available) were about 235,000 lbs. and declining. Graph below is based on official government landings and export data (Community Conch, 2023).

Officials at the Dept. of Marine Resources (DMR) has said that export of conch was stopped on a voluntary basis in Jan 2022. That means it is not illegal to export conch. The end of export is part of the draft Fisheries Regulations and will not be illegal until it passes through that process. In his response to Mr. Mabon,   Minister Sweeting could update the public on the schedule for finalization of the draft Fisheries Regulations.

https://thenassauguardian.com/an-open-letter-to-minister-of-agriculture-and-marine-resources-clay-sweeting/
6 years ago
Community Conch

Support is growing for Community Conch's lip thickness research!
In a recent survey by The Nature Conservancy, 80% of Bahamians contacted support revising fishery laws to include a harvest regulation based on lip thickness. Community Conch recommends a minimum lip thickness of 15mm to allow for reproduction before harvest.

See Full Article from EyeWitness News Here: tinyurl.com/y6f5wj48
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Support is growing for Community Conchs lip thickness research!
In a recent survey by The Nature Conservancy, 80% of Bahamians contacted support revising fishery laws to include a harvest regulation based on lip thickness. Community Conch recommends a minimum lip thickness of 15mm to allow for reproduction before harvest.  

See Full Article from EyeWitness News Here: https://tinyurl.com/y6f5wj48

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If they don't, they will kill this valuable resource.

Great work!

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6 years ago
Community Conch

Conch crisis needs action bit.ly/2RSjjy6 ... See MoreSee Less

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The export of Conch should have been stopped 20 years ago. That is the first step before considering a closed season.

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7 years ago
Community Conch

Another great way to communicate what we now know about these species and how to use that scientific knowledge to make sure protection is adequate.It is recommended that marine protected area networks include fishery replenishment zones. Replenishment Zones are areas where fish can grow and reproduce with less human disturbance. They also need to be combined with other fisheries management tools for species that move long distances and are likely to leave the protected area. ... See MoreSee Less

Another great way to communicate what we now know about these species and how to use that scientific knowledge to make sure protection is adequate.
7 years ago
Community Conch

Great info graphic.All fish species are different and some take longer to recover from fishing and other pressures than others. We need replenishment zones within our network of marine protected areas to allow these vulnerable species to grow, reproduce and recover from human and natural disturbances.
To learn more about 'Replenishment / No Take Zones' click the link below:
act.oceanconservancy.org/site/DocServer/marineProtectedAreasQA.pdf?docID=215
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Great info graphic.

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8 years ago
Community Conch

Coral Reef PSA ... See MoreSee Less

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