Status
Status
in the "no-take" zones where no fishing is allowed34.
In 1996, overall conch density was reported at 14.9
Data on natural population abundances (density
conch/ha, increasing to 43.95 conch/ha in 200434.
measures) are often lacking. The majority of natural
In 2003, at the request of CITES, Honduras agreed
conch abundance monitoring occurs within MPAs. It is
to halt all export of conch until further notice and to
important that such monitoring also includes control
increase efforts to better survey and regulate the
areas outside the MPA boundaries.
fishing industry42. In 2006, Honduras requested the
The status of queen conch in the Mesoamerican
CITES ban be lifted so that exports could resume.
Reef region varies significantly throughout the region.
One of the only studies available documenting conch
Following the decimation of Yucatan, Mexico, conch
density in Honduras is for Cayos Cochinos (a protected
populations in the 1980s, a ban on conch fishing
area), which reported 14.5 conch/ha in 199835.
was put in place there. Quintana Roo enacted a ban
The only areas that approximate the target of 300
in 1991, although Banco Chinchorro and Banco de
800 conch/ha are protected areas or those that have
Cozumel are now open to conch fishing37 because
recovered from a fishing moratorium. The Cozumel
populations increased after the ban on fishing. In
and Banco Chinchorro abundances remain relatively
Cozumel, conch density was reported at 89 conch/ha
high despite the limited fishing activity. The remainder
in 1989 and increased to 830 conch/ha in 199539.
of the region's fishing areas (outside of MPAs) appears
In 1999, an average density of 0.14 conch/m2 (or
to have fairly low abundances. The average abundance
1,400 conch/ha) was recorded for four sites in Banco
for Belize is in the low range of the benchmark, and
Chinchorro39. Both these areas have a limited conch
updated information is needed from Honduras,
quota set each year.
which appears to have the overall lowest population
In Belize, analysis of conch density inside versus
abundance.
outside marine protected areas illustrates the potential
Data
Data Needs
of reserves to increase densities to levels that are
reproductively viable -- thereby serving as reseeding
A regionally comparable assessment on conch
areas. Data from Glover's Reef Marine Reserve taken
abundance, size, and habitat classification is needed,
in 2001 (four years after full enforcement of the
with particular attention to nursery areas, habitat
reserve) found almost 900 adult conch/ha in the "no-
occurrences and the role of marine protected areas.
take" zone compared to just over 200 adult conch
Other data needs include: reproductive and dispersal
in the "general-use" zone40. Subsequent monitoring
studies, information on different management
(summer 2004 to 2005) at Glover's found 1100 adult
mechanisms throughout the region, data on illegal
(> 110 mm) conch in the "no-take" zone, while 500
fishing and transboundary issues, potential impact of
conch/ha were found in the "general-use" zone41.
pollution on reproductive fitness (based on impacts
observed in inshore Florida populations), local
The Belize national conch survey (conducted for
consumption and production, and connectivity among
CITES) found an average density of 44 conch/ha in
populations (especially shallow-water and deepwater
open fishing areas (including the "general use" areas
populations, including reproductive/mating banks).
of marine reserves) and an average of 266 conch/ha
Mito Paz
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