National

Marine Resources Director: During the Cooler Months Conch Landings Decrease

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – According to Director of Marine Resources Gregory Bethel, conch landings naturally decrease during the cooler months.

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – According to Director of Marine Resources Gregory Bethel, conch landings naturally decrease during the cooler months.

For decades, conch has been a staple of Bahamian cuisine and culture, but concerns over its dwindling numbers have been making headlines.

With many restaurants saying they’re out of the popular dish.

Seasoned conch fisherman Ed Brown insists the talk of a conch shortage is misguided.

He says, “ For years and years and if I move 10, 000 come from there, when I go back the next week or two weeks, it’s just like somebody dump them down.”

Marine scientists have presented data showing conch populations are at risk due to overfishing, saying younger conch are being harvested before they can reproduce.

While there’s no closed season for catching conch, to maintain the numbers, the director says government has placed a size restriction on conch as well as discontinued export.