31
October, 2019

The
Cayman Islands’ open season for conch and whelk begins Friday, 1
November.  The season will run through 30 April and allows the
taking of conch and whelk from coastal waters within legal limits.

The
legal daily limit for possessing conch during the open season is five
per person or 10 per boat each day, whichever is less. Only queen
conch (Strombus
gigas,
Lobatus
gigas)
may be taken and no one may take - or permit another person to take,
purchase, receive, offer for sale or possess – more than five
conchs from Cayman waters.

The
legal daily limit for possession of whelks during the open season is
two-and-a-half gallons in the shell or two-and-a-half pounds of
processed whelks per person, per day. No one may purchase or receive
more than two-and-a-half gallons in the shell or two-and-a-half
pounds of processed whelks from Cayman for each day. Chitons,
periwinkles and bleeding teeth may not be taken. Echinoderms
(starfish, sea eggs/urchins, sea cucumbers and sand dollars) may not
be taken.

Individuals
are urged not to purchase conch or whelk from those who take,
purchase or possess more than the legal limits – even during the
open season. Those possessing more than the legal limit will also be
arrested and prosecuted.

Members
of the public are also reminded that Cayman’s annual lobster season
does not open until 1 December. Individuals may come across lobsters
while conching or whelking when it is still closed season for
lobsters. Anyone caught possessing locally-caught lobster out of
season will also be arrested and prosecuted.

Minister
for Environment, the Hon. Dwayne Seymour, stated “We encourage the
public to be careful, pay attention to safety, and to respect the
catch limits and the rules for our marine protected areas this
season.”

If
anyone sees, or becomes aware of, suspected poaching activity, or
suspects someone is purchasing more than the legal daily limits of
locally caught conch or whelks, they are asked to call 911. They may
also contact DoE enforcement officers directly on Grand Cayman
(916-4271), on Cayman Brac (call 911) or on Little Cayman (925-0185).

For more information on open/closed seasons for conch, whelk and other marine life, please visit the DoE website at www.doe.ky or contact DoE Public Education and Outreach Officer Brent Fuller via phone at 244-5984/922-5514 or email brent.fuller@gov.ky.